In accordance with Sec. 4, paragraph 4.2 (1) of the "Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Registration, Operation and Maintenance of Clinical Laboratories in the Philippines" (A.O. #49-B, s. 1988), the following policies are adopted by the Bureau of Research and Laboratories regarding government laboratories doing routine or minimum laboratory examinations:

1.       Laboratories in Rural Health Units (RHU) and Municipal/Community Hospitals of the Department of Health in the catchment area of the District Hospital may be declared as extensions of the Clinical Laboratory of such District Hospital.  As extensions, they shall be supervised by the Physician-in-charge of the District Hospital laboratory.

2.       When the latter laboratory applies to renew its license to operate, it shall list the laboratories it supervises within its jurisdiction.  Such Rural Health Unit & Municipal/Community Hospital Clinical Laboratories declared as extensions are not obliged to obtain a separate license to operate from the Bureau of Research and Laboratories.

Please be guided accordingly.

Adopted: 1 Sept. 1990

(SGD.) MARIETTA D. CARPIO-BACCAY
Director