ADB grants US$2.5M for new COVID-19 testing lab in Pampanga

A new molecular and diagnostic pathology laboratory at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga, has been launched to increase the Philippines' daily COVID-19 testing capacity.

The laboratory, a recipient of a US$2.5 million grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is expected to add 3,000 tests daily to the country's capacity.

The grant from ADB covers the construction of the new laboratory building, procurement of testing machines, personal protective equipment, and other medical supplies.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 10,794 COVID-19 cases nationwide as of Sunday, May 10, with 184 new infections.

Of the new cases, 77 were recorded in the National Capital Region and 75 in Central Visayas.

The DOH also announced 82 new recoveries, bringing the total to 1,924, and 15 new fatalities, increasing the death toll to 719.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated that there is still much to do to equip the health system for handling COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

The laboratory is also expected to support research on other pathogens, genetic diseases, and cancer after the pandemic.