Gapan offers free diagnostic services

By Marilyn Galang 

GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – A local government-run diagnostic center, equipped with more than P20 million worth of fully-automated laboratory machines, is now open and free for residents here.
Rural health practitioner Dr. Augusto Pangilinan said the center will have medical technologists to serve at least 100 patients a day.
    "Tayo pa lang po 'yung LGU na may fully-automated laboratory machines (We are the only LGU having fully-automated laboratory machines)," Pangilinan, who also serves as Covid-19 focal person here, said in an interview on Monday.
Mayor Emerson Pascual said the services will be given free to his constituents.
    "Pero kung may mga taga-ibang bayan na mangangailangan ay walang problema welcome na rin (However, if there are from other towns who are in need, there is no problem, they are welcome)," he said.
    Called "Libreng Diagnostic Center ng Gapan City," the facility is situated a few meters away from the "Libreng Dialysis Center" that also serves indigent patients.
    Chief medical technologist Emma Gutierrez said the center will be open from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m.
    The services include hematology test, blood chemistry, clinical microscopy bacteriology, immunology/serology, pregnancy test,     HIV test, syphilis test, and hepatitis B surface antigen.
    A complete laboratory test usually costs P1,000 to P2,000 in private facilities but patients can have them all for free (here), officials said.
    "Maraming mga kababayan ko sa Lungsod ng Gapan ang lumalapit sa'kin na gustong magpa-laboratory ng dugo (pero) wala silang pera. Kahit P1,000 o P2,000 ay nakikiusap sila (I have so many constituents here in Gapan City approaching and want to undergo laboratory test on blood but they have no money. Even P1,000 to P2,000 they are appealing)," Pascual said.
    The mayor said that he realized the need for free laboratory services when he spent P24,000 in laboratory expenses in an executive check-up at the Makati Medical Center.
    The government, he said, has all the resources to run the diagnostic center. -- PNA