Press Release - Bong Go calls for vigilance and immediate preventive measures against leptospirosis amid surge in cases

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, has issued a critical reminder to the public to heed the advice of health workers and adhere to health protocols, especially in the aftermath of disasters like typhoons.

Go emphasized the importance of being cautious about health threats, particularly leptospirosis, which has seen a worrying spike in cases following Typhoon Carina.

"Matapos ang pananalasa ng bagyong Carina, nakababahala po ang biglang pagdami ng kaso ng leptospirosis. Kaya suportado po natin ang panukala ng Department of Health na ipagbawal ang paglalangoy sa baha na nagiging sanhi nito at ng iba pang sakit," Go stated, highlighting the increased risk posed by wading in floodwaters, which has led to the rise in infections.

The senator pointed to alarming statistics from the DOH showing that over 60% of leptospirosis patients treated at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila experience moderate to severe symptoms.

"Batay rin sa datos ng DOH, mahigit 60 percent ng mga kaso ng mga pasyenteng tinamaan ng leptospirosis sa San Lazaro Hospital sa Maynila ay moderate to severe," he added.

Recent reports from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City and San Lazaro Hospital (SLH) in Manila have documented over 500 cases of leptospirosis in the last six days alone.

For those affected by the disease, particularly the underprivileged, Go reassured them of assistance through the Malasakit Centers in accordance with the law.

"Sa mga tinamaan ng sakit--lalo na ang mga mahihirap, paalala po ng inyong Senator Kuya Bong Go na huwag kayong mahihiyang lumapit sa mga Malasakit Centers," he encouraged.

Malasakit Centers bring together representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, DOH, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. These one-stop shops aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.

Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program.

As of now, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational