DOH partly to blame for spike in leptospirosis cases – solon

ILOILO Rep. Janette Garin yesterday blamed the Department of Health for its failure to deliver doxycycline – an antibiotic commonly used to prevent leptospirosis – to provinces before typhoon “Carina” hit and caused flooding in Metro Manila and nearby areas, which she said contributed to the spike in the number of cases in the country.

Garin, a former health secretary during the Aquino administration, said: “Ang problema, may pondo naman para sa libreng doxycycline subalit ang availability on the grounds ay mahirap. Ito ay paulit-ulit natin na hinaing sa DOH pero pinapakinggan lang pero hindi naman naaksyunan (The problem is, while there are funds for free doxycyline, what’s difficult is the availability on the ground. This is an oft-repeated complaint to the DOH, they listen but don’t act on it).” The lawmaker, who is a physician by profession, explained that individuals who wade through floods, even those without wounds, should take doxycycline within 72 hours after being exposed.

Garin chided the DOH for its “recurring lapses” and said it needs to be more aggressive in addressing the increase in leptospirosis cases by sending the medicines to flood-prone areas and making it accessible.

She stressed that “this is a failure of appropriate and adequate public health communication.”

According to the DOH, there were 67 cases of leptospirosis from July 14 to July 27, bringing to 1,444 the total number of cases this year, with 162 deaths.

The Iloilo lawmaker advised the public to seek medical attention if they are experiencing symptoms of leptospirosis.

Garin made the statement following reports on the surge of leptospirosis emergency cases at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), prompting it to convert its gymnasium to a ward for patients. According to the NKTI, it’s 60-bed ER was forced to handle 120 patients, including 67 leptospirosis cases.

Similarly, the San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) in Manila City also saw a surge in leptospirosis cases while facing a shortage in medical staff.

Television reports show that SLH is handling 57 leptospirosis cases as of Saturday, after it admitted 23 more patients over the weekend.

“This is a wake-up call to the