“THE license given to the City Health Office (CHO) becomes useless if the accreditation by the concerned agencies will not be included.”
This was the response of Councilor Romeo Calizo to the resolution adopted by the 18th City Council yesterday.
The legislation authorizes the CHO to apply for a License to Operate a free-standing drug testing laboratory, health analysis laboratory, xay services and drinking water analysis laboratories.
According to Calizo, it is only fitting to also include in the resolution the authority of CHO to apply for accreditation with the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The councilor pointed out that the medical certificates issued by the CHO and submitted by some constituents to support their applications for driver’s license were not recognized by the LTO.
“Why not get everything inclusive? While the license will be provided and approved, together with it should be the accreditation given by the concerned government agencies. Anyway we are just one working government,” Calizo said.
Upon noting the observations of Calizo and Gaane, Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya hinted that the same will entail the action of the CHO to apply for accreditation at a proper time.
Meanwhile, Dr. Fe Bongcas of CHO said the city will be putting up a free-standing screening laboratory that would be responsible for all requirements needed for drug testing.
The fees for the services and testing shall be P150/person for drug testing, P500 per water sample for drinking water analysis and P150 for xay examination.
Bongcas said the proceeds of the prescribed fees will be utilized for the purchase of needed reagents and related commodities for the conduct of the said tests.
She added that the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) initiated guidelines for drug testing laboratory in terms of pricing.
For a city-owned lab, it should not be more than P250 per test and not more than P300 per test for privately-owned lab.
With the establishment of clinical laboratories at the CHO, the public will have access to affordable laboratory examinations. (sp)
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