VSMMC now a sub-national lab in disease detection

CEBU, Philippines — The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center has been identified to be one of the seven sub-national laboratories (SNLs) for the detection of vaccination-preventable diseases in the country.

The SNLs will serve as confirmatory testing hubs for common vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, rubella, rotavirus disease, and Japanese encephalitis.

The establishment of the SNLs expands the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine’s (RITM) role from being the sole laboratory for the detection and confirmation of VPDs in the country to leading a national public health laboratory network.

RITM is the country’s WHO-accredited National Reference Laboratory for Rotavirus, Japanese Encephalitis Virus, Measles, and Rubella Virus.

“With the establishment of these SNLs, we strengthen the laboratory capacity for the detection and confirmation of VPDs. An extensive laboratory network is crucial in confirming early possible outbreaks and allows us to prioritize immediate public health actions,” RITM Director Dr. Celia Carlos said.

In a press release, DOH said, the World Health Organization has provided over P36 million worth of laboratory equipment and supplies for the SNLs with Health Secretary Dr. Francisco Duque III receiving the donations in a turnover ceremony last Wednesday.

“With fluctuating vaccination coverage rates in the last decade, the Philippines, particularly Filipino children, remain at risk for vaccine preventable diseases. This initiative not only gives better tools to care for individual patients, but it also helps to respond more strategically to protect communities,” said Duque.

Together with VSSMC, the other regional facilities assessed and identified by the RITM as SNLs include the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, Western Visayas Medical Center, Zamboanga Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center, and Cotabato Regional and Medical Center.

In the coming months, the RITM is expected to set up essential equipment and train staff at the SNLs.

RITM will also establish quality control and assurance measures in preparation for WHO laboratory accreditation.

The identified laboratories are expected to independently perform confirmatory testing within the year.

“A strong public health laboratory network is essential in promoting public health action towards saving lives, especially of children, from vaccine-preventable diseases. Once operational, the SNLs will enable a quicker and more sensitive early alarm for impending outbreaks and will facilitate a more focused response in at-risk communities. We commend the DOH and the RITM for making this a priority in the midst of the pandemic. It is crucial that we also prepare our health system in the prevention and control of outbreaks of other diseases, aside from COVID-19,” said Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, WHO representative to the Philippines.

The DOH, RITM, and WHO have been long-time partners in strengthening the country’s capacity in the laboratory confirmation and surveillance of infectious diseases. — KQD (FREEMAN)