Development of Sixty-Six (66) units of Swab Testing Stations and Conduct of Testing and Data Gathering in Selected Areas

The Futuristic Aviation and Maritime Enterprise (FAME), Inc. designed a specimen collection booth (SCB) that lessens the exposure of health workers to COVID-19 upon collecting samples from patients. Inspired by the telephone booth-style swab collection facilities introduced by South Korean hospitals, the SCB is equipped with transparent front window, ventilation, and caster wheels for easier mobility. Not only does the design of SCB reduce the risk of viral transmission, it also shortens the time needed for manual specimen collection during swab testing. Since May 2020, a total of 132 units were produced and installed to selected hospitals. The units are used for the collection of samples in nine cities in NCR and 37 provinces in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The list of hospitals for SCB deployment was provided by the Department of Health while the Centers for Health Development (DOHCHD) in the regions have provided assistance in routing the delivery and installation of SCBs to corresponding health centers/hospitals. This project was co-funded and monitored by PCHRD and Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), also an attached agency of DOST. The collection booths were designed and fabricated by Mr. August N. Martinez III (CEO) and Mr. Arcelio J. Fetizanan, Jr. (Co-CEO) of FAME.