LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Benguet Caretaker Congressman and Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Party-list Rep. Eric Go Yap disclosed he will be donating the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and automated extraction machines he earlier purchased supposedly to be used by the Benguet General Hospital (BeGH) to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) to ensure the timely release of swab test results coming from the different parts of Northern Luzon.
Yap, who led the soft opening and blessing of the BeGH molecular laboratory last Saturday, said that it would be best for him to procure a PCR and automated extraction machines later for the facility once it will be operational by the end of October so that the ongoing operations of BGHMC as a sub-national testing center will not be compromised.
He admitted it was brought to his attention by concerned stakeholders that once he will get back the PCR and automated extractions machines earlier lent by BeGH to BGHMC, the turn-around time in the release of swab test results in the Baguio-based facility will definitely be affected thus he decided not to take back the machines but instead to procure another set of laboratory equipment for BeGH.
Congressman Yap pointed out that BGHMC is serving numerous areas in Northern Luzon and he does not want to compromise the already smooth operation of its molecular laboratory by taking back the machines loaned to the facility by BeGH to ensure the timely release of swab test results of specimens submitted for confirmatory tests to help guide decision makers and policy makers.
Earlier, Yap used his personal resources to purchase the PCR and automated extraction machines purposely for BeGH.
However, the BeGH management decided to temporarily loan the aforesaid units of medical equipment to BGHMC as the construction of the molecular laboratory also funded from Yap’s personal resources was still underway to allow the said equipment to be used and maximized, especially in speeding up the release of swab test results.
BGHMC authorities confirmed that since the availability of the automated extraction and the PCR machines from the BeGH, the turn-around time in the release of swab test results was reduced from the previous 4 to 5 days to 2 to 3 days depending on the volume of swab tests that are being submitted for confirmatory tests to it.
Yap explained BGHMC does the confirmatory tests requirements of numerous local governments thus he fully understands the fear of health authorities that once BeGH will get back the automated extraction machine, the timely release of test results will be significantly affected and he does not want that to happen.
Yap got in touch with former health Secretary and Iloilo Rep. Janet Garin to help acquire the needed molecular laboratory equipment for BeGH once the laboratory will be operational. By Hent