WITH the rising cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and to boost the testing capacity in Davao Region, the Department of Health (DOH)-Davao is preparing two testing laboratories to be assessed by the team from Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
DOH-Davao Director Dr. Annabelle Yumang said during Monday's (April 27) virtual presser that the two facilities are their tuberculosis laboratory inside the DOH-Davao compound and the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Tagum City. This seeks to improve the testing capacity in the region considering that there are areas here that are categorized as high-risk for Covid-19.
Yumang added that the RITM representative will arrive on Wednesday, April 29, to inspect the recommended facility.
To date, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is the only health institution certified by the RITM to independently conduct its own testing and release the results in Mindanao.
"Naningkamot pod mi nga duna pod testing laboratory dinhi sa Davao City (We want to have more testing laboratories here in Davao City)," she added.
According to RITM, interested applicants are assessed based on the primary parameters measured in the initial stages of laboratory assessment which include the design and layout of the facility, workflow, equipment, trained personnel, logistics and supplies, management system, and safety controls, among others.
During the assessment, the RITM will provide a proficiency testing (PT) panel that consists of a set of unknown samples.
"The laboratory technologists of the applicant laboratory must then test these samples on PCR. The results of their testing will be the basis for determining whether their facility and staff complement is capable to correctly and accurately test for Covid-19," the RITM said.
If the result passes the proficiency test and matches the confirmation test of RITM, the laboratory will be given a green light to proceed with Covid-19 testing independently.
Aside from DOH-Davao, Davao de Oro and Davao City are also in the initial stages of expanding or establishing its testing centers.
Earlier, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said they are facilitating the applications of Davao Doctors Hospital and a private laboratory to become certified testing centers. The city is also looking into establishing its own testing laboratory using funds from the national government.
Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy also announced that it is set to put up its own testing center using funds from the national government too. He said this is not only for the short term but also to be used in the long term.
As of April 26, Davao Region recorded a total of 124 Covid-19 positive patients.
Davao City has the most Covid-19 cases with 108, followed by Davao del Norte with nine, Davao Oriental (3), Davao del Sur (2) and Davao de Oro (2).
Davao Occidental has not yet recorded any Covid-19 positive case.