Red Cross puts up 22nd molecular lab in Iloilo

Recognizing that the global spread of COVID-19 has dramatically increased the number of suspected cases in all geographic areas, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has realized early on that countries should increase their levels of preparedness, alertness, and response.

PRC Chairman and CEO, Senator Richard J. Gordon knew that the key to protecting the nation lies in identifying and isolating those with the disease to prevent further transmission. He envisioned the establishment of molecular laboratories in strategic areas of the country at the time when only the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) is the only one with the capacity to conduct the RT-PCR tests for COVID-19.

With PRC as auxiliary to the government in the humanitarian field, and with its Chairman’s vision and direction, PRC quickly went to work and established molecular laboratories and testing facilities to help the country overcome the current pandemic.

To date, the PRC has 10 molecular laboratories in strategic areas of the country with a 22,000 a day testing capacity being operated by PRC while two (2) are currently undergoing the accreditation process.

The Iloilo provincial government recently requested PRC to set up of a Molecular Laboratory in its area due to gradual increasing of COVID-19 cases in the province.

Prior to that, Sen. Gordon thought of a facility to also serve the whole Panay Island because of the threat of COVID cases in Iloilo Province.

PRC will establish a molecular laboratory in Passi City, which will be built inside the PRC Regional Disaster Management and Logistics Training Center. The area was selected because of its strategic location, being the center in the Panay Island.

The Laboratory is expected to be operational before the end of October 2020 after the accreditation will be completed based on the requirements set by the Department of Health and RITM.

 

EQUIPMENT

PRC uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system to detect SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 virus.

The process requires test kits, reagents, swabs, viral transport mediums, and extraction consumables, among others.

The simplified process flow is as follows:

• Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs are performed to collect specimens.
• The specimens are heated to separate the RNA and the DNA. This is the extraction process which requires 45-70 minutes to complete.
• The RNA is then amplified in batches of 90 to create multiple copies.
• The sample is then analysed to determine the presence of COVID-19.

There will be 2 units of RT PCR EQUIPMENT to be installed in Passi. This means that it has the capacity of maximum of 2,000 tests per day.

The financial requirements of molecular test laboratories amount to approximately P30 million including provision for construction and the acquisition of major equipment such as RNA extractor, polymerase chain reaction machines, biomedical freezer, refrigerators, and cabinets, cost of human resource personnel, utilities and consumables.

 

OTHER FEATURES

While the PRC molecular test laboratories are established to respond to the current pandemic, they will also be utilized to detect other diseases such as tuberculosis, dengue, malaria, hepatitis, zika, even HIV and cancer, among others. These molecular test laboratories will ensure early detection and efficient treatment of various diseases and improve public health in the country.

PRC PARTNERS IN THE PROJECT

1. Canadian Red Cross
2. Local Government Unit of Passi
3. Korean Red Cross for the facility (training room converted with Molecular Lab) and its dormitories