The Vital Step Program
Our Mission
Inborn Errors of Metabolism are rare and serious disorders. Through early diagnosis and proper treatment, the symptoms of certain metabolic disorders can be controlled to ensure a child’s healthy development. However, the lack of timely and appropriate treatments, are detrimental to patients’ physical and intellectual development. Serious cases would be life-threatening. Through a simple and accurate screening (the sample is collected by pricking the newborn’s heel) within 7 days of birth, the health of every child can be safeguarded. We believe that this is the Vital Step that every parent should take for your newborn.
Subsidized Newborn
Metabolic Screening
To raise public awareness of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) and the importance of newborn metabolic screening in Hong Kong, Mead Johnson Nutrition donated HK$1,000,000 to Joshua Hellmann Foundation (JHF) in 2015, with the two entities partnering to launch the “VITAL STEP” program. Under the program, subsidies had been provided to support the ongoing research efforts on metabolic disorders and public education to educate the public about metabolic disorders through different initiatives.
Joshua Hellmann Foundation also partnered with The Chinese University of Hong Kong to provide subsidies for newborns in Hong Kong to receive free metabolic screening.
Source: Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Educational Initiatives
The “VITAL STEP” Program is also committed to providing professional healthcare personnel, patients and families with the latest information on treatments of metabolic disorders, so they are aware of the latest developments and can provide patients with the best care possible. In the past, due to a lack of related knowledge and experience, many patients and families were faced with hurdles in the search of appropriate treatments. Some may have even missed the chance to treat the disorders. Through educational initiatives, we will walk with patients and families so they are not helpless and alone.
We encourage expecting mothers and their husbands to attend prenatal classes to learn more about IEMs, while preparing for parenthood. Stay up-to-date with the “VITAL STEP” website for the latest information.