Although the Department of Health has approved the use of saliva as an alternative specimen for COVID-19 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing at Philippine Red Cross laboratories, PhilHealth still won’t pay for it, Senator Richard Gordon said today, February 4.
“Until the Health Technology Assessment Council approves the saliva test, Philhealth will not pay for it. This was communicated verbally to us a few days after Secretary (Francisco) Duque approved the process,” Gordon told DIGICAST NEGROS.
“It is certainly so arduous to work and help government which cannot seem to act together,” Gordon, who is also PRC chairman, said.
Duque, in a letter to Gordon dated January 21, said based on the positive recommendation of the COVID-19 Laboratory Expert Panel, the DOH approved the use of saliva as an alternative specimen for RT-PCR testing among PRC laboratories.
Gordon officially launched the PRC saliva RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 in Bacolod City via Zoom Wednesday.
Dr. Paulyn Jean Ubial, PRC Biomolecular Laboratories chief and former health secretary, said the saliva tests are 98.11 percent accurate.
Compared to the nasopharyngeal swab, wherein a sterile swab is inserted through a nostril and into the nasopharynx, the saliva test is noninvasive, she said.
PRC Governor Jay Jalandoni said actual saliva tests will be conducted at the PRC Bacolod laboratory starting tomorrow, February 5.
The PRC Covid-19 saliva testing costs P2,000, which is P1,800 cheaper than nasopharyngeal swab testing, he said.*