DOST-7 deploys COVID-19 specimen collection booths in Metro Cebu, Bohol

Installation of the Swab/Sample Collection Booth (SCB) at Eversley Child Sanitarium and Memorial Hospital, Jagobiao, Mandaue City with Engr. Juan Edgar Osorio of DOST Cebu (right), Engr. Joel Namoca of Eversley Child Sanitarium and Memorial Hospiral (middle), and Dr. Josephus Ceasar S. Clauor of Eversley Child Sanitarium and Memorial Hospital (left). (DOST-7 photo) 

CEBU CITY, May 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has deployed contactless Specimen Collection Booths (SCBs) in areas across the country to help the Department of Health (DOH) in their battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOST-7 has turned over and installed six SCBs in Metro Cebu from May 20 to 22, 2020, while the province of Bohol received three units.

This is part of the 132 total SCBs to date that DOST has deployed nationwide.

During the "Straight from the Source" interview conducted by the Philippine Information Agency-7, Bryan Ybañez, officer-in-charge Provincial Director of DOST-7, said the SCBs aim to support the ongoing mass testing efforts in the country.

“Purpose ani nga mga booth kay tabangan ang mga hospitals, ang mga testing centers all over the Philippines (These booths aim to help the hospitals and testing centers all over the Philippines),” said Ybañez.

The SCBs were installed in four medical centers under the management of DOH-7.

The recipient hospitals that received one unit each are Eversley Child Sanitarium and Memorial Hospital, Talisay City District Hospital, St. Anthony Mother and Child Hospital, and DOH-7 Center for Health Development.

Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center also received two SCBs units.

DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) funded the production of the SBCs while DOST-PCIEERD's Startup Grant awardee Futuristic Aviation and Maritime Enterprise, Inc. (FAME) spearheaded its fabrication.

The booths were inspired by the phone booth-style coronavirus testing facilities in other Asian countries.

Its key features include good ventilation, mobility, and a protective barrier between the frontliner and the suspected COVID-19 patient.

Each unit costs about P130,000.

Ybañez added that the SCB’s design is available online for those who wish to replicate them for donation to frontline health workers.

The deployment of the SCBs is in line with DOST’s mission to provide research-based solutions that address the most pressing issues that the country is facing. (poc/PIA7)

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)