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The testing capacity of the new coronavirus has been strengthening in Colombia. There are 53 authorized laboratories in the country that accompany the National Institute of Health (INS) in carrying out these tests, in order to detect as many contagions as possible and timely isolate those with covid-19, thus complying with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).
In the country there is a capacity for 12,083 tests per day and laboratories in 16 of the 32 departments, but some patients complain of alleged delays in being tested or knowing the results.
In the last week, more than 4,000 tests have been carried out every day to diagnose if you have covid-19, which shows the increase in capacity.
Regarding the delay to know the results, Adriana Pacheco, director of the doctorate in Public Health of the El Bosque University, attributes that in many regions it depends on sending the tests to Bogotá as they do not have the installed capacity, which generates congestion and delays in the delivery of the results, taking into account that time is spent in transporting them and the return.
In other cases, the delays depend on the fact that not all bacteriologists are trained to take the tests and if there are few, the process takes even longer, said the expert. (It may interest you: There is concern about the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Putumayo)
The average delivery time of test results in the main cities of the country is 48 hours.
To this Miyerlandi Torres, Secretary of Health of Cali, adds that laboratories have difficulties in acquiring reagents, which are scarce in the market, or sometimes samples are rejected because they do not meet quality standards. In fact, 137,628 have been discarded.
In any case, Martha Ospina, director of the INS, stated that after the arrival of two robots the processes will be accelerated to carry out 2,000 tests a day and the goal of carrying out 1,200,000 tests with the joint network was set between May to July. This Sunday 151,396 tests were processed, which would mean a more than significant increase.
In the main departments of the country, the average delivery of results is between 24 to 48 hours. The main method that is being used is the so-called molecular test or PCR, which is recommended for epidemiological monitoring and is effective in detecting covid-19.
In this case, the bacteriologist inserts a swab into the back of the nose to collect the sample and analyzes whether it has the genetic material of the virus. (We recommend reading: Despite openness, ‘no covid’ peoples will continue their extreme measures)
How the tests are processed in the main cities
In Antioquia, where there are 12 laboratories that process 900 tests daily, the estimated time to know the result of a sample depends on whether the patient is within the Aburrá Valley or in a remote municipality. This determining factor will generate a transfer to where the test will be analyzed.
“Once the sample is taken, they transport it to the departmental laboratory or to the laboratories that are already enabled. We can say that the samples in Antioquia do not last more than 48 hours. We are almost up to date in sample processing, ”said Lina Bustamante, Antioquia’s Health Secretary.
To date, more than 151,000 tests of covid-19 have been made in Colombia. Samples are taken from fluids from the mouth and nose.
For its part, the Valle Health Secretariat indicated that is capable of processing 500 samples daily and the delivery of results has a lapse of between 24 and 48 hours.
In Atlántico, the authorized local laboratories are taking an average of 48 hours to deliver the results of the covid-19, a time that is considered normal within the established by the system. The city is capable of analyzing about 400 samples daily.
On the other hand, in Santander, the waiting time to know a result of the tests carried out in the two authorized laboratories is 48 hours, according to Santander Health Secretary Javier Villamizar.
For Pacheco, precisely, these departments and Bogotá are the ones with the best capacity and infrastructure to take samples. (Read also: Cali, in a confinement that leaves its inhabitants with lessons and doubts)
Can I get tested in a private laboratory?
According to the Ministry of Health, the Health Promoting Companies (EPS) and the Obligatory Companies to Compensate (EOC) are in charge of managing the entire process of taking, processing and delivering test results.
However, Due to the delays that in some cases have been pointed out by some citizens, in the different capitals there are already private laboratories, endorsed by the INS, which provide the service for those who require it.
Luis Alexander Moscoso, vice minister of Public Health and Service Provision, explained that if a private person requires a covid-19 test for not having insurance affiliation or because they want it in the face of symptoms, their process should be, first instance, make sure.
This is a simple procedure with minimal requirements and will give you a better guarantee.
“This is a simple procedure with minimal requirements and will give you a better guarantee. If not, you could go to a private or public laboratory of any IPS and carry out the tests and pay for them. Its result will go up to the platform of the Colombian system. Everything will be under the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection for conducting tests, “he said.
The official added that the authorized laboratories can carry out the tests that comply with pertinent requirements and measures, be they molecular or serological, also quick calls, to those who have a medical order to undergo it and with the clinical history.
However, at this time, he indicated, there is no rate regulation, it is up to market options because they are exams that are recently entered and price scales must be established.
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In Bogotá, for example, Idime charges for the molecular sample 250,000 pesos for home delivery. In addition, it had its headquarters in El Lago, the laboratory to carry it out for 220,000 pesos, by appointment and keeping all the security protocols. The result occurs within 48 hours.
It is estimated that in one day it could process around 500 tests.
Courtesy of the Antioquia Government
Meanwhile, the Higuera Escalante laboratory in Bucaramanga also performs molecular imaging. Miriam Boo, from this institution, stated that The results can be delivered from 5 to 48 hours and the value is 310,000 pesos.
Regarding the collection of diagnostic tests by private laboratories in Antioquia, Luis Gonzalo Morales, manager for the coronavirus contingency, explained that These can do it and they are charging between 130,000 and 150,000 pesos for it.
(We recommend you read: These are the epidemics that have attacked Colombia in 500 years)
Yes they can charge and they are charging that amount
“Some of the laboratories have contracts with EPS, in fact all EPS have contracts with laboratories other than the departmental laboratory, and there are people who, suddenly, individually, are requesting the test, and that is what can be charged. Yes they can charge and they are charging that amount, ”said the official.
Deputy Minister Moscoso stated that work is underway to develop a tariff issue for the system, that EPS charge through the roof system, but at the moment there is no regulation for the private sector.
On the other hand, the National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance (Invima), through a health alert, warned about advertising for the purpose of marketing fraudulent rapid tests in the country; that is, without sanitary registration or import approval, for the detection of covid-19, which are being promoted through virtual means by unsuitable personnel.
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