Lack of med techs forces RT-PCR laboratory to shorten operations

By Felipe V. Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The Provincial Health Office here confirmed the lack of medical technologists who will operate the RT-PCR Molecular Laboratory of the provincial government located in Barangay Lanot here.

The lab helps detect COVID-19 cases in the province.

PHO chief Dr. Alex Nolasco said the RT-PCR lab only operates 5 days a week as med techs rest on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Nolasco said that swab specimen extracted by the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (RMPH), a hospital for COVID patients, are taken to the West Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City for testing.

He clarified that everything has limitations, and they also want the med techs to get some rest.

Nolasco stressed that there’s no need for competition or debate between the RT-PCR labs of the Roxas City government and the province, particularly during this time of pandemic.

What is important is to give attention on how to implement the minimum health standard to lower COVID-19 cases in the province of Capiz, he added.

“Sa karon nga panahon sang pandemya kinahanglan ang suporta kag pagbuligay sang kada isa,” Nolasco said adding that the RT-PCR laboratory of the province is very efficient as it can test 90 samples per day.

The province had been looking for additional medical technologists, but no one has applied.