MANILA, Philippines — Nineteen hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) have opened “fast lanes” to provide immediate medical attention to leptospirosis patients, the Department of Health announced over the weekend.
In a social media post, the DOH said the initiative aims to speed up consultation and treatment for individuals who have waded through floodwaters.
The hospitals offering the service include San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Philippine Orthopedic Center, San Lazaro Hospital, Valenzuela Medical Center, Tondo Medical Center and Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center.
Also part of the list are Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Rizal Medical Center, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, National Center for Mental Health, Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children’s Medical Center and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, in a radio interview on Saturday, urged those experiencing fever and body pains after floodwater exposure to seek immediate medical consultation, even within a day or two after symptoms appear.
“Don’t wait for further symptoms such as eye redness, among others, to appear. Immediately proceed to a health facility and consult a doctor,” Domingo said in a radio interview Saturday.
“The patient can be prescribed antibiotics without the need of being admitted in a hospital,” he added.
Rising infections
Latest DOH data showed 2,396 leptospirosis cases were recorded between June 8 and Aug. 7, almost a week after the weather bureau declared the start of the rainy season.
In Manila, infections have climbed sharply – from just 18 cases on July 24 to 141 as of Aug. 8. These include 45 confirmed cases, 78 patients confined in the city’s six district hospitals and 18 fatalities.
Most of the deaths were reported at the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center and Sta. Ana Hospital, with six each, followed by Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center with three. Ospital ng Tondo, Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital and Ospital ng Sampaloc recorded one fatality each.
The surge came roughly two weeks after massive flooding caused by the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones, which also led to a week-long suspension of classes.
According to Domingo, leptospirosis cases may increase in the coming weeks. However, with the fast lanes now operational, the DOH is prepared to handle the possible rise in cases.
Full capacity
Due to the rising cases of leptospirosis, some hospitals have reported reaching their maximum capacity.
Ospital ng Muntinlupa, for instance, has reached full capacity in its emergency room and wards, with most patients suffering from upper respiratory infections and leptospirosis.
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon reported that the 55-bed emergency room accommodated 98 patients in one day, including 16 leptospirosis cases.
He noted that some patients from the RITM were referred to the city hospital due to overcapacity.
“Due to the long inclement weather, the number of patients accumulated,” Jimmy Evangelista said in an interview over Bilyonaryo News Channel on Friday. “This is usually expected, as the DOH announced.”
Besides Ospital ng Muntinlupa, the Valenzuela Medical Center and Pasay City General Hospital announced over the weekend that their emergency rooms have reached full bed capacity.
Manila hospitals have also reached maximum capacity; however, Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said the city’s hospitals will continue accepting patients, with other government hospitals possibly being tapped to provide free medical services.
Dengue cases
While ramping up measures against leptospirosis, the DOH is also tracking dengue infections nationwide, which reached 8,171 from July 6 to 19 – 33 percent lower than the 12,166 cases reported from June 22 to July 5.
Dengue cases in Manila also rose from 110 on Aug. 1 to 152 as of Aug. 8, with two fatalities recorded among the 132 confirmed patients.
The health department urged communities to sustain cleanup drives in schools and neighborhoods and to follow the “4 Ts” to eliminate mosquito breeding sites: “Taob (flip), taktak (shake/spill), tuyo (dry) and takip (cover) all containers serving as potential mosquito breeding sites.” — EJ Macababbad, Ghio Ong