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IN A NUTSHELL: Roadmap to Mass Testing

The Department of Health has been working on accrediting additional labs to increase the country’s COVID-19 testing capacity. In this explainer, we discuss the roadmap to increasing our capacity for mass testing—and the challenges along the way.

MASS TESTING NEEDS INCREASED TESTING CAPACITY. There are three major components needed to enable testing:
(1) TEST KITS - needed to detect the virus by RT-PCR. Our current supply comes from imported test kits and the locally produced UP NIH kits.
(2) TESTING LABS - COVID-19 testing labs must meet biosafety level 2 standards, and have the needed equipment and supplies.
(3) PERSONNEL - personnel must have the specialized training in RT-PCR and biosafety measures for handling samples.

HOW DO WE BUILD OUR TESTING CAPACITY? DOH has laid out a 5-stage accreditation process for testing labs.
Stage 1: Self-assessment
Stage 2: Inspection
Stage 3: Personnel training
Stage 4: Proficiency testing
Stage 5: Full-scale implementation

However, there are challenges that must be addressed ASAP to fast-track accreditation and build testing capacity.

Challenge 1: There is a lack of clear central coordination and information for labs that want to set up.
Solution 1: We need clear comprehensive guidelines for labs, as well as a dedicated team that can coordinate the process nationwide and a central resource for technical guidance.

Challenge 2: Several labs around the country must be inspected by an expert team for Stage 2.
Solution 2: We need to have dedicated teams of experts who can inspect the labs and offer technical assistance for setting up.

Challenge 3: The need to train many personnel for several testing centers creates a bottleneck.
Solution 3: Training must be decentralized not just from RITM so that other fully accredited testing centers can also help train personnel.

Let’s continue to call on DOH and the national government to address these challenges and speed up the accreditation of testing centers without sacrificing quality and safety! Let’s continue to call for FREE, INCREASED, EXPANDED, AND DECENTRALIZED #MassTestingNowPH!

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