The inauguration of the University of the Philippines’ (UP) coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (CMDL) in Los Baños, Laguna would pave the way for the early detection and timely treatment of the disease, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said on Friday.

Andanar issued the statement the same day UP Los Baños (UPLB) launched its CMDL at the Agriculture and Life Science Complex to enable the state university to perform testing for Covid-19.

“The laboratory we inaugurate today in Los Baños open(s) the doors (for) a price technology for early detection, timely treatment, and improved chances of recovery against the dreaded disease,” he said.

Andanar, along with other Cabinet officials, joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the inauguration of the UPLB-CMDL, which will serve as a subnational testing center for Covid-19 for Laguna and neighboring provinces.

It began accepting swab samples on July 6 after securing the certification and license to operate from the Department of Health’s (DOH) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and Health Facilities and Service Regulatory Bureau.

Andanar expressed optimism that the launch of the CMDL would help boost the government’s efforts to fight Covid-19.

He also said he believes in the “best and the finest minds” of the country’s epidemiologists, as well as in their inter-related medical disciplines “to battle a disease that threatens the existence of humanity.”

“We believe in you, we support you, we are one with you. From our desk at the central office to the far reaches of our national and international information network, we carry your crusade with pride, extensively disseminating your data and new discoveries, explaining, and encouraging our people to heal as one,” Andanar said.

The UPLB-CDML’s six laboratory analysts scored 100 percent in nucleic acid extraction, reagent preparation, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

The proficiency test in these areas serves as the last stage of assessment before the DOH and RITM can allow a testing center to conduct Covid-19 testing.

The UPLB-CDML has the license to operate until the end of the year.

As of Thursday, the Philippines has logged 51,754 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 12,813 recoveries and 1,314 fatalities. (PNA)