Koronadal City, SOuth Cotabato | December 1 , 2025— South Cotabato’s diagnostic capability received a major upgrade with the installation of 16 additional GeneXpert machine modules at the South Cotabato Public Health Laboratory, strengthening the province’s ability to deliver fast, accurate, and life-saving tests for infectious diseases.
The project, with a total budget of P5.4 million, was funded by the Provincial Government of South Cotabato under the leadership of Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr.
According to John Codilla, Nurse IV and Infectious Disease Program Coordinator, the new modules significantly enhance the facility’s testing capacity—allowing the laboratory to process 80 to 100 specimens within an eight-hour operation.
“This expansion is a huge step toward improving early detection and treatment. With more modules, we can serve more patients and produce results faster and more efficiently,” Codilla said.
The expanded GeneXpert system will be used for a wide range of essential diagnostics, including HIV viral load testing, MTB/Rifampicin resistance testing, Hepatitis B and C viral load, SARS-CoV-2 testing, HPV screening, and XDR-TB testing. These are critical services for managing infectious diseases and preventing complications among high-risk populations.
Codilla added that the upgrade reflects the strong commitment of the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, particularly under the Disease Prevention and Control Unit, to deliver high-quality and accessible public health services.
“This investment ensures that South Cotabateños have access to timely, reliable testing right here in the province,” he said.
With this development, South Cotabato now operates a total of 20 GeneXpert modules, marking another milestone in its effort to strengthen healthcare systems and protect the well-being of its communities.
