Inquirer file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday ordered all its hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) to activate their “leptospirosis surge capacity plan” to better respond to the rising number of cases of the disease.
In a memorandum, DOH officer in charge Undersecretary Gloria Balboa said that to fast-track referral, all DOH hospitals should utilize common referral forms made available online, and update the names and contact details of their referral focal persons with the Health Emergency Management Bureau’s operations center by Aug. 13.
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“Due to increasing leptospirosis cases in the NCR and in preparation for anticipated increases over the coming days, the ability to respond timely and significantly is being challenged, especially in the augmentation of human and nonhuman resources such as the deployment of health workers to serve with the surges and increasing the critical care capacity,” Balboa said.
Overcapacity
The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City has experienced an influx of leptospirosis cases. It has 67 admitted patients, including 11 in the pediatric section, as of Friday. Its emergency room is also overcapacity.
The hospital has converted its gymnasium into a leptospirosis ward for 40 patients and plans to open another war for 15 more. However, it has also used up all its back-up beds and several patients are on cots and wheelchairs.
While it could accommodate more patients, the NKTI said it would need more staff so it has requested for additional 20 nurses and 10 internal medicine doctors from the DOH. It has also called for volunteer nurses.
Dr. Romina Danguilan, NKTI director, said the NKTI has reached out to other hospitals, such as the East Avenue Medical Center in QC and Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium in Caloocan City, to admit some of the leptospirosis patients.
The Philippine Red Cross has also deployed a nursing team and volunteers to NKTI to help strengthen the hospital’s workforce.
In a public advisory on Friday, the DOH has designated hotlines in its Metro Manila and central offices for the coordination and referral of leptospirosis cases.
The DOH reported 67 leptospirosis cases nationwide from July 14 to July 27. It said that as of July 27, the total number of leptospirosis cases for the year was 1,444, with 162 deaths.
Danguilan said leptospirosis cases peak in September and October when typhoons usually occur. She said leptospirosis cases start getting referred to the NKTI two weeks after floods.