Lack of MedTechs delays release of RT-PCR results

By Felipe V Celino 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The release of the RT-PCR test results of persons who are believed to have died of COVID-19 will be delayed due to lack of medical personnel.

This was the explanation of the pathologist of the molecular laboratory of Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (RMPH) here.

Dr. Iros Jan Bernadas said that one of the reasons is the lack of medical technicians and nurses who will handle the tests.

Bernadas said the laboratory only has 6 medical technicians who work for 12 hours for four days a week.

There have been reports of some patients who allegedly died of COVID-19 but were buried sans confirmation of their condition because of the delay in the release of the results.

Bernadas said the laboratory is open every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Some specimen are forwarded to Iloilo City’s laboratory which further delays the results.