BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) has certified the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City, Negros Occidental as a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing laboratory.
The provincial government has secured a permit for the TLJPH to operate as a COVID-19 testing laboratory from the DOH Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau.
Signed by DOH Director IV Nicolas Lutero III, the license to operate is valid from June 1 to Dec. 31, 2020.
According to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, the TLJPH is expected to initially handle 250 to 300 samples per day as part of the laboratory’s proficiency test.
“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,” Lacson said.
“We discouraged walk-ins, as it can put health personnel at risk,” he added.
The governor pointed out that the bio-lab will prioritize residents of the province’ towns and cities.
“But, we will offer it to Bacolod City, the province’ capital city,” Lacson said, adding that the city government will also have to share in the operation of the laboratory.
Atty. Reyfrando Diaz II, provincial administrator, said the provincial government has allocated P50 million for the lab, which include purchase of equipment, supplies and peripherals.
The TLJPH Molecular Laboratory is the second COVID-19 testing lab in Western Visayas, with the other at the West Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City./PN
