The Department of Health 6 clarified that not all pregnant women or women about to give birth will be subjected to RT-PCR test.
Dr. Sophia Pulmones, chief of the Local Health Promotion of the DOH-6, cited the DOH memorandum re Interim Guidelines on the COVID-19 Management of pregnant women, women about to give birth and new born which emphasizes that testing “should be based on the sound and compassionate clinical judgement to facilitate the testing” considering the limited testing capacity.
Pulmones further said that the latest guidelines of expanded testing prioritizes COVID-19 testing of suspect or symptomatic pregnant women to enable them to access to specialized care preferably at the DOH health facilities.
“Indi sya mandatory nga ang tanan nga pregnant women i-subject sa RT-PCR test,” said Pulmones.
Pulmones made the clarification following several reports that some health facilities refused to admit women who are about to give birth because they do not have RT-PCR test result./PN
