UCMed gets DOH nod for COVID-19 PCR testing

CEBU, Philippines — The University of Cebu Medical Center finally goes full blast in its COVID-19 testing, as the Department of Health (DOH) gives the green light to the Mandaue-based UCMed PCR laboratory.

UCMed got its DOH approval last July 17 and is now among the 91 laboratory facilities certified for COVID-19 testing in the country.

UCMed is the first RT-PCR testing facility in a private hospital in Mandaue which aims to provide RT-PCR testing for both outpatients and inpatients.

Other than its license, UCMed also takes pride in being the only private hospital in Cebu province accordingly at the moment with an RNA extractor, one of the most sensitive laboratory techniques which “enables to reduce contamination, human error, and speeds up the processing time.”

This initiative will contribute to the DOH’s testing capacity target of 3,500 tests per day in Cebu.

UCMed streamlines all COVID testing by scheduled appointments that individual outpatients can do through a simple online booking process.

Corporate offices are also offered exclusive bookings and great package rates for both hospital and on-site extractions (for a minimum of 51 persons).

Patients can book their RT-PCR and RST (Rapid Test) at ucmed.ph/onlineappointment/rt-pcr/ from Monday to Saturday for walk-through and soon drive-through appointments.

UCMed patients can expect their official results within two to three days, including weekends and holidays, from extraction with the option for a hard copy or a soft copy  that will be sent through email for a contactless transaction.

Yesterday’s blessing officiated by Fr. Manny Uy was attended by UCMed chairman, lawyer Augusto Go, his daughter, UCMed  president Candice Gotianuy, along with IATF Deputy Implementer for the Visayas  Mel Feliciano, Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino of OPAV, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, RDC’s Kenneth Cobonpue, and DOH, PhilHealth and other government officials.

“Dili sayon ang pagdumala ug hospital karon. Active participation of different sectors in the community is the key to success and nakita gyud nako karon, being the local chief executive, nga dili sayon ang pagda pagsulbad sa COVID-19. In our problem, our strength is the people acting as one with the government - working towards a common goal in addressing our problem in COVID-19,” said Cortes.

Dino, for his part, felt that DOH’s accreditation is timely as Cebu is reopening its economy.

UCMed president Candice Gotianuy said it is about time that they debunk the issue that hospitals are benefiting and earning big money because of COVID-19.

“Hospitals are not really getting any money as that’s the perception that people have that we are getting a lot of money.  But, no, this has to be debunked.  There are departments in the hospital that are closed,” said Gotianuy.

Hospitals also need help, especially for the nurses.

“We thank the government for helping our nurses raise their salary. That’s so helpful to us. That’s something we would like to do, but cannot for the lack of patients (resources),” said Gotianuy.

Gotianuy said that UC Med will have its own drive-thru testing at UC Banilad and UCLM to make it easier for people to come in and have this swab test. GAN (FREEMAN)