DAVAO Region may soon have more coronavirus disease (Covid-19) laboratory testing facilities to supplement Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) after an evaluation has been conducted by a pool of experts from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) last week.
Department of Health (DOH)-Davao Assistant Director Dr. Lenny Joy Rivera said in a virtual presser that they are just waiting for the results of the evaluation of the RITM on potential laboratories in the region to know if these are eligible to run Covid-19 testing.
This is part of the government's efforts to boost testing capacity in the region whose positive cases have now reached 177 as of May 12.
To date, SPMC is the only health institution in Mindanao that has the capacity to test samples using real-time polymerase chain reaction or PCR detection system (RT-PCR), the gold standard in detecting viruses.
SPMC can accommodate an average of 100 to 120 samples per day.
Rivera added that there are plenty of samples being submitted at SPMC but it has a limited testing capacity and it is serving not only the region but the entire Mindanao. Thus, the need for more testing laboratories.
Last Saturday, May 9, a team from RITM visited the facilities recommended by their office to be accredited for testing.
"So far, na-meet naman ng requirements as to the evaluation ng additional laboratory facilities. Sa ngayon, naghihintay pa kami ng official report coming from the pool of experts na nag-evaluate don kung okay na tayong mag run ng test doon, kung okay na ang ating mga laboratory facilities (The laboratories were able to meet the requirements. We are now just waiting for the evaluation of the experts to know if our facilities are qualified to conduct tests)," Rivera said.
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.
DOH-Davao earlier said that it is assisting the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) to be accredited as a testing laboratory in coordination with the University of the Philippines Mindanao's genome center in Tugbok District to facilitate the testing.
Earlier, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the City Government of Davao is also processing the accreditation of five laboratory testing in the city to enhance the capacity of the city in detecting positive patients.
These are Tuberculosis laboratory in DOH Davao compound, Davao Doctors Hospital, Brokenshire Hospital, Detoxicare Davao One World Diagnostic Center Inc., and Davao City Health Office Laboratory in Los Amigos.