After receiving their two 16-module GeneXpert system, the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSHSI) - Center for TB Research officially joined The Consortium as its first member in CALABARZON (Region 4A) on October 22, 2020.
Since the start of their operations back on November 18, 2020, they were able to process an average of 50 GeneXpert tests every month.
The institution also joined the 3-part online didactic and interactive training on GeneXpert MTB/Rif and an introduction to Ultra last October 20-22, 2020. The said training was conducted in coordination with the NTP and NTRL to ensure that laboratories are performing within the quality of standards, and that learned concepts are translated to standardized practices.
A competency assessment of the trained laboratory staff was also coordinated by The Consortium with the Department of Health - CALABARZON Center for Health Development last December 9-10, 2020. A total of three (3) medical technologists from DLSHSI underwent the Competency Assessment namely Mira I. Cada, Chrlorsih Ann E. Villete, and Jared Immanuelle P. Almonte. The institution had a 100% passing rate in the said Competency Assessment.
The Philippine Private Sector Diagnostics Consortium (The Consortium) is a network launched to ensure that quality and globally endorsed essential diagnostics for TB and non-TB diseases are made available at concessional pricing to accredited private laboratories and hospitals. It has been established with technical assistance from USAID’s TB Innovations and Health Systems Strengthening managed by Family Health International 360 (FHI360) with Interactive Research and Development (IRD), in coordination with the National TB Program (NTP) and the National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL). In less than a year, The Consortium has expended its membership nationwide and has already a total of 17 private hospitals and laboratories in its roster, majority of which are in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The Consortium continues to perform its vision to contribute in the Philippines Government’s quest for improving public health management and care by leveraging innovative approaches to procurement and service delivery among private sector and creating a model for Public-Private-Partnership.