Metro hospitals told to activate leptospirosis surge capacity plans

AMID the increasing number of leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila, the Department of Health (DOH) has ordered its hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) to activate their respective leptospirosis surge capacity plans.

In its memorandum dated August 9, all DOH hospitals in Metro Manila were directed to ensure their readiness to accommodate leptospirosis patients.

The DOH said the move is part of the government’s preparation for the anticipated increase in leptospirosis cases in the coming days.

“The ability to respond timely and significantly is being challenged, specifically in the augmentation of human and non-human resources,” said the DOH.

In a post on social media, DOH spokesman assistant secretary Albert Domingo assured the public that all government hospitals have the capability to handle leptospirosis patients, saying

“we have sufficient number of medical supplies, doctors, and nurses to handle leptospirosis cases in the entire Metro Manila.”

The directive to DOH NCR hospitals comes on the heels of the assurance of the health department that there are other hospitals in Metro Manila that are “equally capable” of handling leptospirosis cases aside from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City, which experienced an overcapacity in its emergency room last week due to an increase in leptospirosis 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.

According to Domingo, leptospirosis patients in need of medical attention are encouraged to call the DOH-NCR at (02) 8531-0037 or (0920) 283-2758 for proper referral to hospitals.

“It should be automatic. Before heading to a hospital because of leptospirosis, call first to know where they can be admitted and treated for free,” said Domingo.

Earlier, the DOH has said they are bracing for a surge in leptospirosis cases in the aftermath of the severe