The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday gave the assurance that the country’s health system can handle the rising number of leptospirosis cases.
“Kaya ng health system natin [na tugunan ang mga pasyenteng may leptospirosis], DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said in an interview on Dobol B TV.
The DOH has also established a hotline for leptospirosis cases as it urged the public to seek medical attention should they experience symptoms.
“Mayroon tayong hotline na ipinalabas kahapon, landline (02) 8531-0037; mobile number, 0920-283-2758. ‘Yan ang cellphone number na pwedeng tawagan ng mga doktor at mga pasyenteng may leptospirosis,” Domingo said.
“Parang noong panahon ng COVID, para malaman saan may bakanteng kama,” Domingo added.
Cases of leptospirosis at government hospitals National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and San Lazaro Hospital have been going up.
The NKTI gymnasium in fact has been converted into a leptospirosis ward due to an influx of patients after the onslaught of Tropical Cyclone Carina-enhanced Southwest Monsoon.
Nearly 70 individuals suffering from leptospirosis were admitted at the NKTI as of Friday.
The NKTI has requested 20 more nurses and 10 more doctors from the Department of Health (DOH) to address the lack of manpower.
“As of yesterday afternoon, nagpadala na ng mga tao [sa NKTI] ang ating mga DOH hospital and also the Philippine Red Cross,” Domingo said.
Domingo advised those who were exposed to floods and are experiencing symptoms to immediately seek medical attention.
“Kung sa mga nakaraang buwan napalusong kayo sa baha anuman ang dahilan at mayroon kayong sintomas gaya ng lagnat, pananakit ng katawan, lalo na doon sa may lower part ng leg o calf na tinatawag, naninilaw ang mata, iba ang kulay ng dumi at ihi, pumunta muna sa health centers. ‘Wag sa ospital agad. Maaring senyales ito ng leptospirosis,” he said.
“Huwag tayong mag-iisip na wala lang ito. Basta yung kombinasyon kung kayo ay lumusong nitong nakaraang buwan at may nararamdaman, huwag niyo nang isipin nang dalawa o tatlong beses,” Domingo added.
“Magtanong ho kayo kasi mas madali ang prophylaxis, dalawang capsule na may reseta, kaysa nakahiga sa dialysis machine,” he said.
Domingo also said other hospitals, not just NKTI and San Lazaro Hospital, can treat leptospirosis cases.
“Hindi lang NKTI at San Lazaro Hospital ang ospital sa Metro Manila. Ang tawag po diyan ay health system. Mayroon tayong isang malaking health system na maraming ospital. Isa na doon yung NKTI of course, San Lazaro pero nandiyan yung East Avenue Medical Center, nandiyan yung Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center and the list goes on,” he said.
“Ang [ang pasyenteng may] leptospirosis ay hindi kailangang dalhin palagi sa NKTI. Sabi nga namin kahapon, bakit naging sikat ang NKTI sa lepto? Kasi po mga specialista sila sa bato,” Domingo said.
“‘Wag nating kalimutan na hindi lang NKTI ang gumagawa ng dialysis. Ang dialysis ginagawa yan sa halos lahat kundi lahat ng ospital. At meron ding freestanding dialysis centers,” he added.
“Kayang-kaya rin ng ibang ospital na gamutin ang leptospirosis,” Domingo said.
The number of leptospirosis cases from July 1 to July 27 reached more than 1,400,” he said.
This is expected to still go up since Typhoon Carina and the Southwest Monsoon occurred on July 24.
“Ang incubation period ng leptospirosis ay maaaring umabot ng isang buwan,” Domingo said. —KG, GMA Integrated News
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