COVID-19 testing lab soon to open in Iloilo province

The Iloilo Provincial Government will soon open its COVID-19 Testing Laboratory at the Iloilo Provincial Hospital in Pototan, Iloilo.

It is currently complying with requirements specified by the inspecting team from the Department of Health and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

The Iloilo Provincial Hospital will manage the laboratory.

The target date of opening is on the first week of December 2020 or as soon as the laboratory staff pass the 100required proficiency test, which is a prerequisite for issuing a License to Operate.

The machines of the new COVID-19 Testing Lab can process up to 800 specimens per day and will be a big boost to the testing capacity of the city and province of Iloilo.

The fund for the project was mostly sourced from the Bayanihan Fund and the Iloilo Provincial Government’s coffers.

Logistical support was also provided by private entities such as the Metro Iloilo Water District, the Philippine Red Cross, iAmUPHi – an alumni group from UP Visayas which turned-over Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) – and other benefactors who opted to remain anonymous in support of this endeavor.

The Western Visayas Medical Center Sub-National Laboratory headed by Dr. Stephanie Abello and Molecular Head Cecile Resol helped in the technical aspects of this laboratory’s preparation. (https://www.upv.edu.ph/index.php/news/covid-19-testing-lab-soon-to-open-in-iloilo-province)