City molecular lab nears completion

Uswag Iloilo City Molecular Laboratory and Dormitory in Brgy. San Pedro, Molo is nearing its completion as the city government aims to start its operation by May this year.

The current laboratory in the same area which conducts the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for COVID-19, started operating in November 2020.

According to Chiqui Blancaflor, head of the Uswag Molecular Laboratory, their target is to transfer the current molecular laboratory to the main Uswag Iloilo City Molecular Laboratory and start running tests by May.

“Our goal is to transfer and start operation by May of 2022. The vacated old site of the molecular laboratory will be converted into the Uswag Iloilo Clinical Laboratory which will provide basic or routine laboratory services to our beloved Ilonggos at minimum cost,” she said.

Currently, the construction of the main laboratory is 80% complete. Aside from the laboratory, the facility also has six dormitory rooms for the medical staff.

Meanwhile, the laboratory also targets to increase its personnel to expand and improve its operations.

“They will be trained to man each section of the clinical lab and will work as reserved personnel to be deployed in the molecular laboratory in times of surges or where needed, like during dengue outbreak, filariasis surveillance, and active case finding for tuberculosis, among others,” Blancaflor said. (DG)