THE Department of Health (DOH)- CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) together with local government officials of Mauban, Quezon today led the inauguration of the Mauban Municipal Health Office Molecular Laboratory, a testing facility for Covid-19 located in Barangay Bagong Bayan at the heart of the town.
“Ang facility na ito ay hindi lamang magagamit para sa Covid tests kundi para rin ito sa molecular tests ng ibang pathogens gaya ng influenza at iba pang mga sakit upang makatulong sa ating mga duktor na ma-identify ang infection sa early stages nito. Sa pamamagitan nito ay makakapagbigay tayo ng tamang treatment modality at mahinto ang pagkalat nito sa ating komunidad,” Assistant Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco who attended the event stated in her message during the ceremony.
She also lauded the efforts of the local government unit of Mauban for the establishment of the facility. “Dahil sa inyong pagsisikap at suporta ay naisakatuparan natin ang pagtatayo molecular laboratory na magsisilbing daan sa epektibong pagresponde sa kasalukuyang pandemya,” she added.
Sydiongco disclosed that the Mauban Municipal Health Office Molecular Laboratory is the biggest testing facility in the region. It is complete with an administrative office, supply room, stock room and swabbing area. The main processing area is composed of 5 rooms specifically specimen receiving room, specimen handling room, preparation room, encoding, and evaluation room.
The facility can process 180-200 specimen per day with a turnaround of 48 hours or two days and will be opened during weekdays from 8:00AM to 5:00PM. The laboratory has a biosafety level 2 certification and complies with the regulation set forth by the Health Facility and Regulatory Office.
Various equipment was successfully installed inside the laboratory to ensure the integrity of test results and safety of staff that will manage the facility including two (2) polymerase chain reaction cabinet, two (2) hp series lab combination refrigerator and freezer, airstream class 2 biological safety cabinet, streamline class 2 biological safety cabinet, lexicon 2 ultra-low temperature freezer, hp series lab freezer, and an hp series lab refrigerator.
“Molecular laboratories are very important in epidemiology and infection control programs as molecular microbiology techniques have been used in the rapid identification and surveillance of infectious diseases.” Sydiongco added.
She also assured that the regional office will continue to extend support to the facility including necessary manpower to handle and manage the laboratory.
Also present during the blessing and inauguration of the facility were Office of Civil Defense – Calabarzon Regional Director Maria Theresa R. Escolano. Quezon Provincial Governor Danilo E. Suarez, Mauban Mayor Marita T. LLamas, Vice Mayor Marivel M. Trinidad, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Grace V. Santiago, Municipal Health Officer Dr. Ronald D. Mararac.| – BNN
