UP’s Philippine Genome Center Is 18th DOH-Approved COVID-19 Lab

The Philippine Genome Center is now an accredited COVID-19 testing facility, the Department of Health announced on April 24.

The Quezon City research center is under the supervision of the University of the Philippines, and it is the country’s 18^th COVID-licensed laboratory.

“Meron na po tayong 18 na COVID labs na lisensyado. Kaka-approve lang po natin sa Philippine Genome Center,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire during a press briefing.

The DOH continues to evaluate other laboratories applying for COVID-licensing, added Vergeire.

“Patuloy din ang proficiency testing sa mga Stage 4 na laboratoryo upang masigurado natin na accurate ang mga procedure nila,” she said.

All accredited COVID-19 testing labs must pass the five-step accreditation process of the DOH in order to be considered a Stage 5 facility. The licensed laboratory must have the proper tools to conduct tests, necessary equipment to determine cases, and trained technicians who are knowledgeable in COVID-19 testing.

Aside from the Philippine Genome Center, Metro Manila has 11 other certified COVID-19 testing laboratories. These include:

1. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City
2. UP National Institutes of Health in Manila City
3. San Lazaro Hospital in Manila City
4. Chinese General Hospital in Manila City
5. Philippine Red Cross in Mandaluyong City
6. Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory in Mandaluyong City
7. Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City
8. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City
9. Victoriano Luna Hospital in Quezon City
10. The Medical City in Pasig City
11. Makati Medical Center in Makati City
12. Luke’s Medical Center-BGC in Taguig City

There are also five accredited laboratories outside Metro Manila:

1. Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in Baguio City
2. Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City
3. Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City
4. Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City
5. Bicol Regional Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory in Legazpi City

Main image from Pixabay.