DOH admits PRC testing suspension affects COVID-19 case detection

The Department of Health (DOH) acknowledged that the suspension of Philippine Red Cross (PRC) PhilHealth-funded COVID-19 testing has affected its capacity to detect and report cases.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated that the PRC's laboratories, which are large and distributed across the country, significantly contribute to the nation's daily testing output.

The PRC ceased its PhilHealth-funded COVID-19 testing services due to PhilHealth's outstanding debt amounting to nearly P1 billion, a suspension that remains until the state health insurer pays its dues.

Senator Ralph Recto warned that the PRC's suspension of government-funded COVID-19 testing could distort the country's efforts against the pandemic, noting that one in four RT-PCR tests was done by the PRC.

Recto also highlighted that the absence of PRC testing deflates the infection rate, making any dip in reported cases an artificial decline and potentially abandoning the first line of defense against imported cases if arriving OFWs are not tested.

President Duterte has assured that the government will pay its debt to the PRC, but he stated that it will take time.