Rep. Rodriguez urges DOH to set up more COVID-19 testing labs in Mindanao

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is urging the Department of Health (DOH) to establish more COVID-19 testing laboratories in Mindanao's regional hospitals.

Currently, only the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City is accredited as a testing laboratory, while the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro, though a referral center, lacks testing capabilities and kits.

This situation causes significant delays as swab samples must be sent to Davao City for processing.

Rodriguez highlighted that WHO recommendations and proposals from various Mindanao stakeholders support the immediate accreditation of more testing facilities and the deployment of test kits.

He emphasized that making COVID-19 testing more accessible across Mindanao's regions is crucial for early detection and prevention of the virus's spread.

The solon pointed out that many areas in Mindanao are geographically distant from Davao City, making timely testing difficult.

Several of his colleagues in the House of Representatives have also endorsed this suggestion to the DOH and the Speaker of the House.