GOVERNOR Eugenio Jose Lacson said the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) Testing Laboratory in Silay City is open to Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.
“The City Government will also have to share in the operation of the laboratory. We discourage walk-ins, as it can put health personnel at risk,” Lacson clarified.
The Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau of the Department of Health (DOH) has granted the testing laboratory of the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City a license to operate effective June 1 to December 31 2020.
A copy of the license obtained by the media on Tuesday, June 2, showed that it was signed by lawyer Nicolas Luterio, director of the bureau and will test real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital molecular laboratory in Silay City is expected to handle 250 to 300 tests per day.
“It will be more prudent for our medical technologists to take this first week as part of their proficiency test. We’re not expecting them to maximize the equipment. We want them to be very comfortable as they increase their speed,” he said.
Provincial Administrator Reyfrando Diaz II said the provincial government has allocated P50 million for the lab, which include purchase of equipment, supplies, and peripherals.
The governor pointed out that the bio-lab will prioritize residents of the province’ towns and cities.
Diaz added that there are three PCR machines at the laboratory; one was acquired by the provincial government, another was donated by former Third District Rep. and now Provincial Consultant for Economic Affairs Alfredo Benitez, and the third one was sent by the DOH.
The lab results will be out on the day of the test.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Government plans to expand the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City.
Lacson said expanding the TLJPH is necessary in order to prepare the hospital for possible pandemics in the future.
Lacson said the provincial government received P155 million in Bayanihan grant, and P100 million was earmarked for the expansion of the hospital.
“We will design it in such a way that if another pandemic occurs, we can close a certain part of a hospital only to cater to whatever virus we may be facing,” Lacson said.
Diaz, explained after the hospital gained experience in treating a Covid-19 positive patient, they saw the need of a separate building which would be designated as an Infectious Diseases building.
Diaz pointed out with the new building in place, they would be able to separate infectious individuals from the other patients, thereby limiting and even possibly eliminating transmissions.
The provincial official stated the Infectious Diseases wing will have its own emergency room, operating room, and delivery room.
“In this time of [Covid-19], we cannot mix these people with our regular patients,” he added.