A total of 2,517 trainees composed of physicians, pharmacists, biologists, chemists, nurses, medical microbiologists, medical technologists, teachers, and laboratory personnel passed the “BEAT COVID-19 Program” held on March 31-April 6, 2020 and April 14-May 14, 2020. 

The online Biosafety Education and Awareness Training (BEAT) COVID-19 program for laboratory personnel handling COVID-19 samples is being conducted by the UP Manila National Institutes of Health’s National Training Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity (NTCBB). The Department of Health officially recognizes the NTCBB as a training provider for biosafety and biosecurity to support its capacity building efforts in laboratory testing during this pandemic. 

The training is composed of seven modules of the core principles which are: Introduction to Biorisk Management with Focus on Biosafety; Risk Assessment; Biocontainment Facilities; Basics of Biosafety Cabinets; Personal Protective Equipment; Disinfection, Sterilization and Decontamination; and Waste Management of Biological Materials. The modules were accessed using the Canvas Learning Management (CLM) while the live panel discussions used the Zoom platform. The CLM can be accessed anytime which allowed participants to take the course at their own pace. 

The course utilized distance learning education by providing updated and relevant materials that are essential to the current COVID-19 response and online forum and case analysis moderated by subject matter experts, who are graduates of the NTCBB’s Philippine Advance Biorisk Officers Training program. 

The participants were evaluated based on their performance in the quizzes and final exam. A certificate of completion is given to participants who have passed the assessments and have complied with the requirements. For more information about the training, please visit the NTCBB website and Facebook. 

Rohani Cena-Navarro, DVM MSc  |  Published in Healthscape Special COVID-19 Issue No. 7