THE Department of Health (DOH) announced it will establish seven “subnational laboratories” in the country via the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
It said the seven laboratories will be a big help in the early identification of highly transmissible diseases and crafting of an effective response during outbreaks.
Among these diseases are measles, rubella, rotavirus disease and Japanese encephalitis
The subnational laboratories will be put up in seven regions in the county and is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) when it donated P36-million worth laboratory equipment and supplies.
The WHO donations were received yesterday by DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III.
The laboratories are to be located in regional health facilities identified by the RITM, which include the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando, La Union, the Jose Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga, the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City, Vicente Sotto Medical Center in Cebu City, Zamboanga Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City and Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.