Negros Occidental allocates P15M for monkeypox test kits

FILE PHOTO: Test tubes labelled “Monkeypox virus positive” are seen in this illustration taken May 23, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/

BACOLOD CITY — The Negros Occidental provincial government is initially allocating P15 million for monkeypox test kits.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Tuesday, August 30, said the provincial government is preparing its molecular laboratory at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City for the conduct of  monkeypox tests.

Negros Occidental medical technologists have already been identified for training at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

“The Negros Occidental and Bacolod health officials are currently working on joint protocols for handling of monkeypox cases,” he said.

“Hopefully the protocols will be out soon,” he added.

No monkeypox case has been detected in Negros Occidental so far.

/MUF