Aklan to have its own COVID-19 test lab
KALIBO, AKLAN, May 24 (PIA) -- The Provincial Government of Aklan continues its initiatives in preventing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the province as it is set to establish a COVID-19 testing laboratory at Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo, Aklan.
Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores confirmed the ongoing construction of the said facility that is considered as one of the priorities of the provincial government as it is seen as an effective tool in combating the coronavirus.
“Ro atong ginahandum nga sariling COVID-19 Testing Laboratory iya sa Aklan, maeapit lang sa realidad (Our desire to have our own COVID-19 Testing Laboratory here in Aklan, now comes to reality),” Miraflores said in his Facebook page post on May 21.
On May 15, the province acquired the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machine that would be installed in the laboratory once finished, together with other equipment needed for the COVID testing.
To date the provincial government of Aklan is fast-tracking the accreditation process of Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital (DRSTMH) as testing laboratory for coronavirus.
Miraflores noted that with Aklan having its own testing laboratory, the detection of the virus will be hastened with turnaround time of 24 to 48 hours.
The patients, if turned out COVID positive, could be given immediate intervention.
Meanwhile, Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Cornelio Cuachon, Jr. said that health care personnel such as medical technologists, encoders and administrative staff who will be assigned to manage the testing facility are currently on training.
This is to ensure that personnel manning the laboratory are trained for biosafety and PCR procedures to ensure the protection of every Akeanon. (LTP/SQP/PIA-Aklan)
News Feed:
https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1042727
Latest News | Philippine Information Agency
Philpar