Transfusion Transmissible Infections - National Reference Laboratory

At the moment: Our colleague Mr. Kenneth Punzalan discussing the “Seroreactivity of Antibodies to Hepatitis B Core Antigen Among Hepatitis B Surface Antigen-Screened Negative Blood Donors and Its Implications for Blood Safety in a Resource-Constrained Country” at the 40th Annual Convention of the Philippine Blood Coordinating Council - PBCC.

😎

TTI-NRL represent!

Our colleague Mr. Russel Luceño shares his experience in donating blood in the Philippines at the 40th Annual Convention of the Philippine Blood Coordinating Council - PBCC.

Visit our page at bit.ly/ritmttinrl for more information.

Congratulations to the newest HIV and other TTI Proficient Medical Technologists!

Cheers to keeping our blood supply safe 🥂

TTI-NRL represent! 🇵🇭

Register now! Session starts at 8AM tomorrow (13 June 2024).

https://summit.pbcc.ph/home/

We invite you to join us in celebrating the life-saving power of blood donation by attending the 11th National Blood Summit with the theme "Ready to RISE (Revitalize, Initiate, Save, Empower): Voluntary Blood Donation Beyond the Pandemic."

This will be held online this 13 June 2024 (Thursday), 8:00 a.m. to celebrate World Blood Donor Day and make a difference in the lives of others.

Together, we can rise and ensure that everyone has access to safe and adequate blood products.







Scan the QR code or click the link below to register.
https://summit.pbcc.ph/home/

Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan! 🇵🇭

Ngayong araw, sama-sama nating ipagdiwang ang ika-126 Araw ng Kalayaan!

Sa paggunita ng ating pagkamit ng ating kalayaan, isang daan at dalawampu't anim na taon na ang nakararaan, nawa'y isapuso natin ang kapangyarihan ng ating pagkakaisa sa pagtupad ng ating mga pambansang hangarin.

Pagdating sa sektor ng kalusugan, mahalaga ang ating pagbubuklod para sa pagkakaroon ng ligtas, dekalidad na mga serbisyong pangkalusugan, malusog na pamumuhay para sa bawat Pilipino, at pagkakaroon ng malakas at maaasahang pwersa ng mga manggagawang pangkalusugan. Kaisa ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan at ng buong sambayanang Pilipino ang Research Institute for Tropical Medicine sa pagkamit ng mga ito.

The training on HIV and other TTI testing proficiency marked the return of the actual hands-on laboratory exercises conducted onsite at RITM. Previously, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, trainings were mostly done online.

READ: https://ritm.gov.ph/hivandotherttiinfectionstraining/

Tara, let's run! 🩸

The Department of Health (DOH) invites everyone to join in the World Blood Donor Day Fun Run, marking 20 Years of Celebrating Giving: Thank You, Blood Donors, on June 14, 2024, at the Academic Oval, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Register via this link http://tinyurl.com/NVBSPfunrun2024 from June 01 to 07, 2024 only! Assembly starts at 4:00 a.m. at the Entrance of the UP Hall.

Congratulations to the new HIV Proficient Medical Technologists! First face to face batch since the COVID-19 pandemic and we’re glad to have you here at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

Cheers to blood safety in the country!

9 more days! ⏳⏰📅📌

Get in touch with our NEQAS RITM team for concerns and inquiries, or send them an email at [email protected].

9 days left until the Registration for the 2024 RITM NEQAS ends!

The 2024 RITM NEQAS Registration shall strictly close on 31 May 2024 (Friday) at 11:59 PM PST. The same deadline applies to all National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) as per DOH Department Circular No. 2017-073.

ONLINE REGISTRATION PORTAL
1. Registration to the NEQAS programs shall only be accepted through the online portal: https://apps.ritm.gov.ph/neqas/
2.Instructional videos on how to register online as well as the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are available on the RITM Laboratory Quality Assurance webpage: https://ritm.gov.ph/reference-laboratories/quality-assurance

PAYMENT OF REGISTRATION
1. Starting this year all payments for participation to RITM NEQAS shall be made through the Landbank e-payment portal, only upon
the issuance of an order of payment: https://www.lbp-eservices.com/egps/portal/Merchants.jsp
2. Walk-in cash payments and direct bank deposits shall no longer
be accepted. Payments made in advance while the registration is closed shall not be accepted. Failure to comply shall result in forfeiture of registration.

INQUIRIES
1. For any inquiries or concerns related to any program, you can contact the RITM NEQAS Office through [email protected] or (02) 8850 1949.
2. Inquiries and concerns for SARS CoV-2 EQA may be directed to [email protected]

Thank you!

Last 10 days for registration! 📅⏰

For inquiries, please send an email to [email protected].

10 days left until the registration for the 2024 RITM NEQAS Registration ends!

The 2024 RITM NEQAS Registration shall strictly close on 31 May 2024 (Friday) at 11:59 PM PST. The same deadline applies to all National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) as per DOH Department Circular No. 2017-073.

ONLINE REGISTRATION PORTAL
1. Registration to the NEQAS programs shall only be accepted through the online portal: https://apps.ritm.gov.ph/neqas/

2.Instructional videos on how to register online as well as the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are available on the RITM Laboratory Quality Assurance webpage: https://ritm.gov.ph/reference-laboratories/quality-assurance

PAYMENT OF REGISTRATION
1. Starting this year all payments for participation to RITM NEQAS shall be made through the Landbank e-payment portal, only upon
the issuance of an order of payment: https://www.lbp-eservices.com/egps/portal/Merchants.jsp

2. Walk-in cash payments and direct bank deposits shall no longer
be accepted. Payments made in advance while the registration is closed shall not be accepted. Failure to comply shall result in forfeiture of registration.

INQUIRIES
1. For any inquiries or concerns related to any program, you can contact the RITM NEQAS Office through [email protected] or (02) 8850 1949.

2. Inquiries and concerns for SARS CoV-2 EQA may be directed to [email protected]

As a National Reference Laboratory for infectious diseases, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine is mandated to provide External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) to laboratories in the country for bacteriology, TB mycobacteriology, parasitology, transfusion-transmissible infections, and SARS-CoV-2.

An External Quality Assessment Scheme evaluates the performance of participating laboratories by checking the proficiency of the technical staff performing tests and/or assessing the integrity of the entire testing process from sample receipt to releasing of test results.

Participation in EQAS as part of an overall laboratory quality assurance program is required under local regulatory policies for securing a license to operate.

Registration reminders for the 2024 NEQAS RITM cycle.

RITM-NEQAS ONLINE REGISTRATION Welcome to the online registration portal of the RITM National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS)! NEQAS evaluates the performance of participating laboratories by assessing the integrity of the entire testing from sample receipt to releasing of test results. This would allow comparison of t...

See you! 👋👋👋

2 days to go before the HIV and other TTI Testing Proficiency Training Workshop Refresher Course!

Interested participants may join the next batch on September.

For more information visit: https://learn.ritm.gov.ph/course/view.php?id=297

Heads up for the 2024 EQAS cycle! 📣📣📣

Happy Labor Day! ⚒️

Ang Labor Day o Araw ng mga manggagawa sa Pilipinas ay pinagdiriwang tuwing ika-1 ng Mayo na kilala rin bilang “May Day”. Ito ay iprinoklama noong 14 ng Hulyo sa Paris, France at itinawag na “Workers Day of International Unity and Solidarity”.

Una itong ipinagdiwang sa Pilipinas noong 1 ng Mayo, 1903 nang magmartsa ang isang daang libong manggagawa sa Malacañang, na humihiling ng mas patas na kondisyon sa mga manggagawa mula sa gobyerno na noon ay pinamumunuan ng Amerika.

Kaisa ang mga health workers ng Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) sa pagdiriwang sa Labor Day.

LOOK | Save the dates this 2024!

Please visit our site bit.ly/ritmttinrl or through the RITM Learn (https://learn.ritm.gov.ph) for more information on the specifics, including fees, of our training program.

NOTE: All dates are subject to change and a prior notice will be provided to pre-registered participants.

Please read on the 2024 NEQAS RITM updates.

Good day!

Please be advised of the updates on the 2024 RITM National External Quality Assessment Scheme (NEQAS) and payment mechanism for Bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Parasitology, Transfusion Transmissible Infections, and SARS-CoV-2 programs. You may access the full advisory through this link: https://ritm.gov.ph/announcements/advisory-on-the-2024-ritm-neqas-registration-and-updated-payment-mechanism-for-bacteriology-mycobacteriology-parasitology-transfusion-transmissible-infections-and-sars-cov-2/

Further, the 2024 RITM NEQAS guidelines can be accessed through this link:https://ritm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/20240304_GUIDELINES-FOR-RITM-INTEGRATED-NATIONAL-EXTERNAL-QUALITY-ASSURANCE-SCHEME-NEQAS_March-2024.docx-1.pdf

For any inquiries or concerns related to any program, please email us at [email protected]. Inquiries and concerns for SARS CoV-2 EQA may be directed to [email protected].

Thank you!

Please be advised that the telephone direct line: (02) 8850 1949 for the National External Quality Assessment Service (NEQAS) Office is currently unavailable until further notice.

During this period, we encourage you to reach out to us via email at [email protected] for any inquiries, concerns, or assistance you may require.

We apologize for any inconvenience this temporary disruption may cause and sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Good day!

Please be advised that the telephone direct line: (02) 8850 1949 for the National External Quality Assessment Service (NEQAS) Office is currently unavailable until further notice.

During this period, we encourage you to reach out to us via email at [email protected] for any inquiries, concerns, or assistance you may require.

We apologize for any inconvenience this temporary disruption may cause and sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

👀

Call for applications for the 3rd batch of the Biorisk Management Academy! Details below:

Follow RITM - Biorisk Management Office for more updates.

Taos pusong pasasalamat sa pamunuan ng Department of Health Regional Office IV-A Calabarzon sa pagkilala sa Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - Transfusion Transmissible Infections - National Reference Laboratory, sa tungkuling ginagampanan nito para suportahan ang DOH - National Voluntary Blood Services Program, na tiyakin ang kalidad at kaligtasan ng ating dugo mula sa mga nakakahawang sakit.

Patuloy po kayong makakaasa na susuportahan natin ang lahat ng rehiyon sa bansa na makamit ang “safe blood for all”.

TTI-NRL represent! 🙌

Thank you to Department of Health Regional Office IV-A Calabarzon for inviting us to join the event, “Gawad Dugong CALABARZON 2023: Pasasalamat, Parangal at Pagkilala sa mga Bayani ng Makabagong Panahon”.

Such a lovely afternoon to donate blood. For our field trip, we went to Asian Hospital and Medical Center, our next door neighbor in Alabang 🏘️

We are grateful that we all qualified to donate since during these months, our blood supply is at its lowest despite the increased demand. Thanks to the Blood Bank team for a wonderful experience! 🩸

Head on to your nearest blood service facility to donate blood and save lives!

Sharing the page link of our partner, NRL-Australia at NRL - Science of Quality.

Let’s support them on social media by following their page and YouTube channel and be updated on the latest in infectious disease testing.

We're pleased to announce that our paper
has been published at Vox Sanguinis.

Read more of our work here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vox.13576

ATTENTION

To clarify some points that were made from the previous advisory released last 11 October 2023 regarding the cancellation of the 2023 RITM NEQAS programs, please take note of the Clarifications on the Cancellation of the 2023 RITM NEQAS Cycle.

You may access the full advisory through this link:
https://ritm.gov.ph/announcements/clarifications-on-the-cancellation-of-the-2023-ritm-neqas-cycle/

Thank you!

Calling all digital health solution providers!

The DOH shall be conducting the 2023 Digital Health Landscaping this November. The activity aims to provide the DOH with updated information regarding the country’s digital health landscape.

You can access the questionnaire through these links:
For development partners: bit.ly/DigitalHealthLandscape-DevPartner
For private solution providers: bit.ly/DigitalHealthLandscape-PrivateProvider

Collected data shall allow policymakers and planners to align the DOH plans, programs, and projects with locally available capabilities and potential.

Your participation will help us leverage digital health innovations for Universal Health Care.

For more information please access bit.ly/DHLandscaping
Stay tuned for updates through our official channels!



https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=748246030675505&set=a.226209779545802

Calling all digital health solution providers!

The DOH shall be conducting the 2023 Digital Health Landscaping this November. The activity aims to provide the DOH with updated information regarding the country’s digital health landscape.

You can access the questionnaire through these links:
For development partners: bit.ly/DigitalHealthLandscape-DevPartner
For private solution providers: bit.ly/DigitalHealthLandscape-PrivateProvider

Collected data shall allow policymakers and planners to align the DOH plans, programs, and projects with locally available capabilities and potential.

Your participation will help us leverage digital health innovations for Universal Health Care.

For more information please access bit.ly/DHLandscaping
Stay tuned for updates through our official channels!

Standby for the red lights and donate blood at the Makati Medical Center 🩸

When these red lights in front of MakatiMed are switched on, it means that the hospital is in need of blood.

If you happen to see them, our doors are open for your gracious donation — and we will be forever grateful.

Should you wish to donate blood, you may check our latest guidelines here: bit.ly/3FU1SF3