The Doctors' Hospital Sets Up First PCR Laboratory in Bacolod

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The Doctors’ Hospital, Inc (TDHI) proudly announced that it will soon have a PCR Laboratory in Bacolod City set up within its hospital grounds. This is the first in Negros Occidental and the whole region to help fight Covid-19.

Related: Is Bacolod City Ready for the Lifting of the Community Quarantine?

RT-PCR Laboratory in Bacolod

This first RT-PCT laboratory in Bacolod is initiated by TDHI with Mount Grace Hospitals, Inc. and Unilab. The hospital management aims to help expand the country’s PCR-based testing capability in the ongoing global battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The PCR Biolab will be located at the parking area of the hospital. It will be housed in a shipping container van that will be constructed with the help from ENDEC, Inc. The company is specifically engaged in engineering and construction management and is already familier with the design.

What is RT-PCR, PCR Laboratory in Bacolod, What is PCR, PCR laboratory, The Doctors' Hospital, Covid-19, Bacolod hospital, Covid-19 testing, Covid-19 positive, PPE, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, Unilab, Mount Grace Hospitals, Inc., lab tests, virus, coronavirus, TDHI executives — From L-R: Noel Antenor Cruz, TDHI President; Dr. Rafael L. Jocson, Chief of Hospital; Patricia Gallardo-Yusay, Ancillary Services Division Chief; Dr. Jose T. Pandan, Chief of Clinics.

The biolab facility has the distinction of being the first of its kind in the Philippines. Despite its uncommon design, the quality of testing as well as safety standards are not compromised. Moreover, this new PCR Laboratory in Bacolod is compliant with the safety standards of a Biosafety Level 2 Laboratory (BSL2).

Related: Megaworld Gives P60M Worth of Covid-19 Test Labs to Philippine Red Cross

Lab Facilities

In addition ot its superior design and high quality standards, the Biolab is equipped with the same RT-PCR machine that is being used by DOH-accredited Covid-19 testing facilities.

Read: Continuous Wearing of Face Masks and Frequent Hand Washing Fight Covid-19

This PCR laboratory in Bacolod will be fully operational soon. The medical community and the general public will then be able to readily access available RT-PCR tests.

What is RT-PCR?

RT-PCR literally means Real-Time – Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and is a laboratory method used in many research labs. Plus, it also has practical applications in forensics, genetic testing, and diagnostics.

PCR entails making a very large number of copies of short sections of DNA from a very small sample of genetic material. This process is called “amplifying” the DNA, which enables specific genes of interest to be detected or measured, for instance, Covid-19.

Faster detection and a PCR laboratory in Bacolod City will help us deter the spread of Covid-19.

Stay Healthy

Covid-19 is much like many other viruses in terms of transmission and infection. However, it has much harsher symptoms and greater consequences.

Our best defense against it is to stay healthy. Let’s take care of our bodies and avoid getting sick. A compromised immune system can make us susceptible to the dreaded coronavirus. Get a health check regularly to make sure that you are in tip-top shape.

The Doctors’ Hospital Sets Up First PCR Laboratory in Bacolod