DOCTORS' GROUP LAUDS PRC FOR ENSURING HEALTH CARE WORKERS' WELL-BEING

For placing great importance on the need to ensure the health and well-being of health care workers (HCWs) as the country, along with the rest of the world, battle with the Coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic, a group of doctors from Department of Health hospitals lauded the Philippine Red Cross, headed by Senator Richard J. Gordon.

Gordon, PRC chairman and CEO, has proposed that all medical workers, who are at the forefront of the fight against the disease, must be tested for COVID regularly every ten days or at least every 14 days because they have high risk of getting infected, coming in close contact with COVID patients.

"So thankful to Phil. Red Cross for the expedited processing of the PCR tests of our HCWs! Truly blessed by your humble service. May God grant you the joy of service!" Dr. Rica Mirasol Lacague said in a text message.

The PRC already opened two testing centers that are both equipped with polymerase chain reaction machines that can run up to a total of 8,000 tests a day. The PRC's testing capacity would expand to 20,000, with the opening of another testing center in Port Area, Manila this week and four others in Subic, Clark, Batangas and Los Banos in the next few weeks.

The PRC has partnered with the Philippine Coast Guard in getting arriving and newly-arrived overseas Filipino workers tested for the disease; and also with several local governments in the National Capital Region. Trained PCG and LGU personnel take the swabs and transport them to the PRC for testing. Some hospitals have also sought the Red Cross' assistance in conducting test for their patients and for their health workers.

Another doctor also thanked Gordon for providing the vision and the inspiration for making the bio-molecular laboratory a reality; likewise citing the untiring devotion, patience and resilience of PRC's Dr. Monina Nalupta as well as the advice and guidance provided by Dr. Suzy Mercado, of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. Here's to the true solidarity. Maraming salamat, looking forward to the next run!" Dr. Tricia Bautista also said in a separate text message.