Red Cross team deployed amid leptospirosis surge

COME HELL OR HIGHWATER Volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) were called to action as early as the morning of July 24, when the impact of Supertyphoon “Carina” was beginning to be felt in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon. —PHOTO FROM PRC

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said it has deployed a team of nurses and volunteers to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) on Friday to help in strengthening the hospital’s workforce after an influx of leptospirosis patients due to the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Carina” (international name Gaemi).

PRC chair Richard Gordon said 15 medical personnel from PRC’s Health Services and Quezon City Chapter will be on duty 24/7 in NKTI until Aug. 23. A PRC welfare desk has also been set up in the area to assist the patients’ relatives.

Gordon also said the PRC is ready to deploy medical tents with hospital beds once the situation or the number of patients would escalate. He also assured NKTI director Dr. Rose Marie Liquete of PRC’s all-out support in treating the leptospirosis patients.

The Department of Health (DOH), in a statement on Friday, said it has been treating “several” confirmed and probable leptospirosis cases. It has designated hotlines to its Metro Manila and central offices for the coordination and referral of leptospirosis cases.

The DOH said a total of 67 leptospirosis cases were recorded nationwide from July 14 to July 27. NKTI earlier converted its gymnasium into a leptospirosis ward and requested more nurses and doctors from the DOH after receiving an additional 50 leptospirosis patients.

As of July 27, the total number of leptospirosis cases for the year was 1,444, with 162 deaths, the DOH said.

PRC secretary general Dr. Gwen Pang advised the public to use proper protection, such as boots and gloves, if they need to wade in contaminated water or floodwater and cannot avoid it.

READ: DOH monitors cases of leptospirosis 2 weeks after massive flooding

“Go to your nearest health center or PRC Chapter and immediately take prophylaxis (an agent used to prevent leptospirosis),” she said.

Since July, the PRC has conducted health promotion to 10,000 individuals, provided health consultations to 1,000 persons and distributed 360 medicines and 5,000 doses of doxycycline to communities affected by Carina in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Ilocos and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) regions.