During the COVID-19 pandemic, laboratory testing capacity is crucial. Since the beginning of the outbreak in the Philippines, the WHO country office, with support from a grant from European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) has worked closely with both the Department of Health (DOH) and local governments to ensure establishment and accreditation of testing laboratories across the regions.
ECHO has has provided valuable funding to WHO to carry out inspection and assessment of laboratory capacities to test COVID-19 samples.
In May 2020, there were 23 real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) laboratories in major regions. By 19 October, there were already 112 laboratories operating in all regions that were able to test samples. Thirty-five licensed cartridge-based PCR or GeneXpert laboratories are now operating in all regions except Western and Eastern Visayas.
With the increase in licensed labs, WHO and DOH worked to provide competency and proficiency training. The WHO team specifically responded to the need for lab proficiency in COVID-19 diagnostics in Zamboanga City in Mindanao, where a large cluster of infections were recorded between June and July.
WHO also provided the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) and five other subnational laboratories with reagents, test kits, extraction kits and other consumables.
With a new surge in cases in the South, WHO has continued to provide support on many levels.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19