By Fernan Angeles
DISCREPANCIES in the COVID-19 results between the government and accredited private laboratories have compelled the Department of Health (DOH) to look into what appears to be another fraud, apparently referring to two incidents of individuals in Pampanga where test results were found conflicting.
In a virtual press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the DOH already received a report from the Pampanga provincial government, and that it is already looking into it as part of its mandate to ensure that laboratories deliver accurate results.
“We received the information last Saturday, and we immediately coordinated with the regional office to find out the circumstances… ano ang naging dahilan,” Vergeire said.
“May dalawang pasyente na tinest [for COVID-19], after two days, pina-retest, iba naman ang resulta. Kaya ipinatawag tayo para maipaliwanag natin sa kanila ang proseso, maibigay natin ang detalye, and what would be our analysis and recommendation,” she added.
A composed Vergeire, however, assured that the DOH is not letting a laboratory operate without assurance of quality control.
“Mandato po ng DOH na i-monitor ang quality ng mga laboratory, that these licensed laboratories continue to provide quality results,” she said.
“Regular po ang quality assurance monitoring natin para kung may gaps ang mga laboratories ay mabibigyan po natin ng immediate action,” Vergeire added.
The number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 217,396 as of Sunday, August 30, 2020. Of this number, 157,403 recovered while 3,520 died.
The number of active COVID-19 cases is at 56,473, according to the DOH.