DOH to establish 7 subnational laboratories nationwide

Seven subnational laboratories will be established in selected regional hospitals nationwide as part of efforts to improve the country’s capacity to detect vaccine-preventable diseases, according to the Department of Health.

Health Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said the hospitals identified include:

• Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center
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• Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital
• Western Visayas Medical Center
• Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center
• Zamboanga Medical Center
• Southern Philippines Medical Center

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• Cotabato Medical Center

“So ito po mga regional hospitals natin ito and we found it fit and appropriate na mag umpisa tayo dito kasi meron na talaga silang proseso, sistema, at struktura,” Vergeire said at a media briefing.

(So these are our regional hospitals and we found it fit and appropriate to start here because they have processes, systems, and structures.)

Vergeire said the agency will provide additional equipment and supplies.

“Nakapag commit po at tutulungan tayo ng World Health Organization (WHO) para sa necessary equipments and supplies nitong pitong subnational labs,” Vergeire said, adding that WHO will provide P36 million.

(The WHO has committed to help us regarding the necessary equipment and supplies for the seven subnational labs.)

According to the undersecretary, this will help the country’s healthcare system.

“Bagamat may pandemya, mabuti rin mabigyan natin ng pansin ang mga sakit kagaya ng measles, rubella, at iba pa,” Vergeire said.

(Even though there is a pandemic, it’s good to give attention to other illnesses such as measles, rubella, and others.) — RSJ, GMA News