ILOILO City’s capacity to test for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) got boost with the private sector’s move to open laboratories to support capabilities to combat the pandemic.
Mayor Jerry Treñas hopes the initiative will help manage cases through faster release of results of Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) samples.
This developed as it would take quite long for the now under construction Iloilo City Covid Lab and Dormitory in Molo district that is expected to be completed in September.
Treñas noted that QualiMed Hospital Iloilo PCR Lab will be operational on July 9 at Atria Park District in Mandurriao.
He said Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center in Jaro will be running its testing center in mid-August.
The Medical City Iloilo also expressed interest to establish its testing facility.
“There are some complaints that PCR results take some time. Well, we expect it because we only have one lab now, the Western Visayas Medical Center, while the West Visayas State University Medical Center is still undergoing accreditation process,” Treñas said.
“Once everything will be online, we will be moving faster. We really have to push for our economic recovery. While there are positive cases, to a certain extent we have controlled transmission compared to other regions,” he added.
The mayor is banking on healthcare sector’s strength amid the crisis.
“So, we have to move forward, to able to move under the new normal and hopefully, we will continue with this. Well, the fear will always be there, but I think we need to prioritize the important things even if there will be circumstances beyond our control,” Treñas said.
“First, we have mass testing and it is improving because we also have private hospitals. Second, while we worry about this virus, our health sector is now prepared. We also bought two respirators. We have more equipment, trainings, PPEs, and it is easier for us to put things in order,” he added.
“We are worried, but I think our medical people are more prepared to meet this problem. We will be able to attend to this. We have facilities and trained medical personnel,” said Treñas. (PR)