Even with the relaxed minimum public health standards (MPHS), Davao City’s public and private hospitals still require mandatory RT-PCR testing of patients for admission.
Davao City COVID-19 Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser, during the Bida Bakunado program of 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) held Friday, November 11, underscored the importance of RT-PCR testing for patients before admission.
“We make sure that we are admitting patients who are COVID-19-free. Imagine if they are positive and they’ll be mixed up with sick people nga dali lang matakdan. The transmission will be a lot faster (Imagine if admitted patients are positive and they’ll be mixed with sick people who are vulnerable to COVID-19 infection),” she said.
The city health official said it would be unimaginable what would happen to the city’s healthcare system if mandatory RT-PCR testing is not implemented.
Schlosser said, “Dili nato na gusto nga dili ma test ang for admission nga mga patients (We don’t want that patients for admission are not tested) because we will be putting the lives of other patients at risk. It is to protect patients, other patients, and frontliners or service providers.”
The City Government of Davao, through the Davao City COVID-19 Task Force and City Health Office (CHO), along with the hospital owners and directors, have agreed with the hospital admission requirement to better protect patients and medical frontliners.
She also said that only patients for hospital admission are required to undergo RT-PCR tests, unlike before when their watchers are also mandated to comply with the swab testing.
Schlosser said that RT-PCR testing cost for hospital admission, however, is shouldered by the patients and could not be provided for by the City Government of Davao as they are for personal purposes.
“Out of the pocket sa patients gyud ang RT-PCR testing sa private hospitals (RT-PCR testing fee in private hospitals is paid from the personal pocket of the patients). I believe it is free at SPMC),” she said, adding that the rapid antigen testing, being a non-confirmatory test, is not the best option in admitting patients to hospitals.
Wearing of face mask is also mandatory within the hospital’s premises, whether patients, watchers, frontliners, outpatients, and everybody inside the medical facility. CIO
