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Iligan's COVID-19 testing lab now open

ILIGAN CITY (PIA)—To cater to its citizens who want and must be tested for coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 amid today’s global health crisis, the local government here has officially launched Wednesday, November 3, its molecular laboratory to make particularly the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing available to Iliganons at an inexpensive amount.

The COVID-19 testing laboratory situated at Quezon Avenue Extension, Brgy. Pala-o within the premises of the Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital (GTLMH) has been issued its license to operate by the Department of Health (DOH) - Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau valid beginning October 21, 2021 until December 31, 2021 following its 100% proficiency test result.

Earlier, Councilor Lamberto Macapagal Jr., chairman of the Committee on Health, said this milestone will already make the city independent from Cagayan de Oro City which is known to have the nearest COVID-19 testing laboratory from Iligan.

"This molecular laboratory will enable [us] to provide efficient and effective RT-PCR testing [with] a quick result and faster interventions," he said.

City Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz commended the frontline workers backing the establishment of the laboratory alongside the transformation of the City Hospital in general.

He also called on them to do their best and render their job perfectly to reflect the real status of tested patients.

“Kung negative, negative gyud. Kung positive, positive gyud [If negative, it must be negative. If positive, it must be positive]... We expect you to give your best because this is what we want. The Sangguniang Panlungsod and the Mayor always just want to give what is best to our people,” he said. 

Apart from paving the opportunity of getting tested, the laboratory is also open for future use for case studies covering data collection regarding the intensity of transmission, surge capacity, ways forward to combat future bacterial and viral attacks to the human body and to set interim guidance to both laboratory in-charge and stakeholders involved in testing patients. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Norte)

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Claire Gigje

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Region 10

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