The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said that the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) is now investigating the complaint on the alleged “inaccurate” Covid-19 test results of hospital personnel in Subic.
During the continuation of the moto propio inquiry into the questionable purchase of Covid-19 supplies, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III confirmed they received a complaint on the incident involving the Philippine Red Cross in Subic.
“I have with me the actual communication coming from a complainant, but who has requested for anonymity. But, I do confirm that there is that complaint which is being investigated now by the Lab Network, headed by Assistant Secretary Nestor Santiago, whom I believe has already relayed to the RITM to do an evaluation or assessment of this complaint,” Duque said.
In the same hearing, Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, citing reports submitted to his office, said 49 hospital personnel have tested positive for Covid-19 in the tests conducted by the PRC laboratory last September 3.
“Staff of a certain hospital in Subic were tested positive by the PRC laboratory in Subic. They are all vaccinated staff of the hospital because they doubt the result that they become positive, they have themselves retested on September 6,” he added.
He said 44 of the 49 hospital staff were tested negative in the second test, which was conducted three days later. “After three days, they have themselves retested in another facility and 44 out of 49 false positive, and they tested negative,” the House leader added.
Meanwhile, Marcoleta also wants the DOH to look into the price of the RT-PCR test of the PRC.
“They started P4,000 [price of the RT-PCR] and now P2,800. We want to see whether or not the costing is based on reasonable terms. I know PRC is nonprofit, but P6 billion has been funneled to PRC,” he said.
He said PhilHealth already paid P6 billion to the PRC in conducting RT-PCR tests.