Clarification on the Financing of Proficiency Testing in Certification of COVID-19 Testing Laboratories
On May 11, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) issued a circular clarifying the financing of proficiency testing for COVID-19 testing laboratories in the Philippines. This follows Administrative Order No. 2020-0014, which outlines the licensing process for COVID-19 testing laboratories to ensure standardized accreditation and accuracy of test results. As of May 9, 2020, 26 laboratories have been licensed to operate. The circular specifies that the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) will cover the costs of the first two proficiency testing panels, while subsequent panels will be the responsibility of the laboratories. All other licensing requirements remain unchanged and must be strictly followed.
Quick Answers
- What is Clarification on the Financing of Proficiency Testing in Certification of COVID-19 Testing Laboratories about?
- On May 11, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) issued a circular clarifying the financing of proficiency testing for COVID-19 testing laboratories in the Philippines. This follows Administrative Order No. 2020-0014, which outlines the licensing process for COVID-19 testing laboratories to ensure standardized accreditation and accuracy of test results. As of May 9, 2020, 26 laboratories have been licensed to operate. The circular specifies that the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) will cover the costs of the first two proficiency testing panels, while subsequent panels will be the responsibility of the laboratories. All other licensing requirements remain unchanged and must be strictly followed.
- What type of law is DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0203?
- Clarification on the Financing of Proficiency Testing in Certification of COVID-19 Testing Laboratories (DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0203) is a Philippine Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Issuances enacted by the Congress of the Philippines.
- When was Clarification on the Financing of Proficiency Testing in Certification of COVID-19 Testing Laboratories enacted?
- Clarification on the Financing of Proficiency Testing in Certification of COVID-19 Testing Laboratories (DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0203) was enacted on May 11, 2020.
- What is the citation for Clarification on the Financing of Proficiency Testing in Certification of COVID-19 Testing Laboratories?
- Clarification on the Financing of Proficiency Testing in Certification of COVID-19 Testing Laboratories, DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0203, May 11, 2020 (Philippines)
Law Information
- Reference Number
- DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0203
- Date Enacted
- Subcategory
- Department of Health
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
May 11, 2020
DOH DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR NO. 2020-0203
| TO | : | All Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries; Directors of Bureaus, Services, and Centers for Health Development; Minister of Health — Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao); Executive Directors of Specialty Hospitals and National Nutrition Council; Chiefs of Medical Centers, Hospitals, Sanitaria and Institutes; President of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation; Directors of Philippine National Aids Council and Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers and All Others Concerned |
| SUBJECT | Clarification on the Financing of Proficiency Testing in Certification of COVID-19 Testing Laboratories |
Administrative Order No. 2020-0014 entitled "Guidelines in Securing a License to Operate a COVID-19 Testing Laboratory in the Philippines" was issued last 7 April 2020 in order to standardize the process for accreditation of COVID-19 laboratories. As of 9 May 2020, there are 26 licensed COVID-19 laboratories providing testing services to the country.
These standards have been implemented to ensure the accuracy of test results and the safety of the personnel of the laboratory and the wider community in which these laboratories are located. One of these requirements includes passing Proficiency Testing (PT) conducted by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). Each applicant laboratory shall be given two (2) opportunities to pass the PT panel before it may operate as a fully licensed and independent COVID-19 testing laboratory using RT-PCR. ATICcS
In light of the cost of the panel used in Proficiency Testing, the Department of Health clarifies that RITM shall bear the cost of the initial two (2) panels provided for PT. The cost of succeeding PT panels beyond the first two provided by RITM shall be borne by the applicant laboratory or facility. All other licensing requirements as stated in Administrative Order No. 2020-0014 shall remain in full effect.
For immediate implementation and strict compliance.
By Authority of the Secretary of Health:
(SGD.) MARIA ROSARIO SINGH-VERGEIRE, MD, MPH, CESO IV
OIC-Undersecretary of Health
Cite This Law
Clarification on the Financing of Proficiency Testing in Certification of COVID-19 Testing Laboratories, DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0203, May 11, 2020 (Philippines)
Clarification on the Financing of Proficiency Testing in Certification of COVID-19 Testing Laboratories, DOH Department Circular No. 2020-0203 (Phil. 2020)
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- Amendment to the Administrative Order No. 2020-0014 "Guidelines in Securing a License to Operate a COVID-19 Testing Laboratory in the Philippines"DOH Administrative Order No. 2020-0014-A • May 20, 2020 • Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Issuances
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