DOH to help LGUs expedite COVID-19 lab accreditation process

WITH VARIOUS  local government units (LGUs) pushing for the establishment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing laboratories in their respective areas, the Department of Health (DOH) has been providing the necessary assistance to speed up the accreditation process of the said laboratories.  

“We have been helping with expediting the licensing process of COVID-19 laboratories that LGUs plan on establishing.  Should they have queries about the process, they can always contact the agency’s regional offices,” said DOH Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire during the Laging Handa Network Briefing with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday, June 9.

The undersecretary said the health department will partake in the preparation of the establishment of the laboratory by providing assessments and identifying the areas that need improvement. Free trainings will also be provided for the laboratory staff and technicians.

“We will be going on-site to coordinate with licensing officers and provide guidance on establishing the laboratory or the locality to hasten the entire process,” she added.

Joining the program is Agusan del Sur Provincial Governor Santiago B. Cane, Jr. who reiterated his request for additional assistance from the DOH. The provincial government is planning on establishing a laboratory as part of its efforts to effectively curb the transmission of the disease.

The number of cases in the province has been rising since the arrival of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs). The province now has three COVID-19 cases, all of which are foreign cases from the returning residents.

The provincial governor bared that they are hoping to establish the laboratory and have it fully operational before the year ends.

Usec. Vergeire said that they will be scheduling a visit next week for the said matter.

The health official also reminded that the easement of community quarantine regulations does not signify the end of the health crisis.

“We have to continue implementing our health and safety measures even as we transition to the new normal. This is the only way to fully preventing the transmission of the virus,” she affirmed. (By Doreen Marielle N. Rosales)