Manila Bulletin
Ilocos Norte hospital is now licensed to operate COVID–19 testing lab
The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) in Batac City has received a license to operate an independent COVID-19 testing laboratory from the Department of Health (DOH).
This initiative is a collaborative effort between MMMH&MC and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN).
The laboratory aims to increase COVID-19 testing capacity in Northern Luzon.
PGIN provided a PCR machine and other equipment, while MMMH&MC acquired additional supplies, biosafety gear, and ensured staff training.
MMMH&MC developed its biomolecular laboratory capabilities over two months, adhering to World Health Organization, DOH, and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine protocols.
The hospital received its License to Operate on June 2, 2020, and has begun performing rapid PCR tests using the GeneXpert machine, which is also used for tuberculosis and HIV viral load testing.
The GeneXpert technology was accredited for use before the traditional PCR method.
MMMH&MC is the second DOH-retained hospital in Region I to be accredited for COVID-19 testing and the first in the region to use GeneXpert technology.
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