The key to Omicron curbing is testing, social distancing, wearing PPE, and getting vaccinated. Manila HealthTek Inc. (MTek), maker of affordable locally-made RT-PCR tests, stresses that testing is still key to curbing the current surge.
Manila Healthtek Inc. or MTek, the country’s first and only biotech company in diagnostics, and which has acquired its ISO certification, continues to push forward with its efforts to help the country overcome yet another spike of COVID-19 through persistent testing.
At the onset of the pandemic in the Philippines in 2020, MTek made headlines as they successfully invented the GenAmplify COVID-19 Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Detection Kit. The invention of the low-cost test kit was led by Dr. Raul V. Destura, CEO of Manila HealthTek Inc. (MTek), along with a team of scientists.
Testing has proven to be essential in the fight against the COVID-19 virus and its many variants. With the Omicron variant’s current vicious spread in the Philippines, continuous testing must be done to keep this variant at bay. Testing also carries with it the significant benefit of early identification of emerging variants through genome sequencing.
“Creating this effective RT-PCR Detection Kit was a great achievement for us, but we are aware that it does not end there. Our mission is to get these kits to the Filipino people so we are determined to ensure that these kits are accessible at their price-point and the means of getting tested. Testing is massively helpful especially with dealing with new variants such as the Omicron,” says Dr. Destura.
From its initial testing site at their laboratory located at 09 Brgy. Sta. Elena, Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue, Marikina; MTek has since opened another remote testing site at Palacio de Manila parking lot located at Barangay 699, MH Del Pilar Street in Ermita, Manila.
They also offer home testing at a minimum of three persons per booking. Testing outside Metro Manila will also be accepted for a minimal charge. Discounts are given to senior citizens and PWDs with valid IDs.
On-site RT-PCR testing costs Php2,650. For those availing of home service RT-PCR testing within Metro Manila, the cost is Php2,950.
Aside from the RT-PCR tests, MTek also does antigen testing through their Park & Swab initiative for only Php900. It also has its Manila Healthtek Mobile Swab Van that can go directly to office locations. These antigen tests are quick and easy and can yield results in only 15 to 30 minutes.
