In response to the government’s aim to conduct expanded targeted mass testingof 1.5 to 2 percent of the country’s 110-million population to detect, isolate and treat those with the CoViD-19 disease, PhilHealth has formalized a joint undertaking with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
Under the MOA, PRC shall provide CoViD-19 testing services using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests pursuant to Section 4 (l) of Republic Act No. 11469, otherwise known as the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act”, and by virtue of PRC being a duly accredited DOH testing laboratory.
An initial P100 million was released to the PRC which shall be replenished once liquidated.
Due to global shortage of testing kits and limitation in local capacity for testing and based on Department of Health Memorandum 0020-0180, only the following shall be granted free tests:
1. Patients or healthcare workers with severe/critical symptoms, relevant history of travel/contact;
2. Patients or healthcare workers with mild symptoms, relevant history of travel/contact, and considered vulnerable;
3. Patients or healthcare workers with mild symptoms, relevant history of travel/contact; and
4. Patients or healthcare with no symptoms but relevant history of travel/contact.