On top of implementing surge capacity management measures.
During the press briefing at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, August 26, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary said that 33 hospitals run by the Department of Health in Metro Manila and four other regiins have activated fast lanes for leptospirosis patients.
The said move comes amid an increase in cases following recent flooding caused by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), which inundated areas in several portions of Luzon.
“Ayon po sa DOH, sa kasalukuyan, 33 DOH hospitals sa Metro Manila, Region I (Ilocos Region), II (Cagayan Valley), III (Central Luzon) at CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) ang may activated na leptospirosis fast lane o express lane para sa agarang pagtugon sa mga pasyenteng nangangailangang magpaospital,” said Castro.
The surge in leptospirosis patients at San Lazaro Hospital and other medical facilities in Metro Manila were also recorded 144 patients being treated for leptospirosis as of August 26.
Furthermore, the Palace Press Officer also said that the DOH is also implementing surge capacity management measures to ensure sufficient hospital beds and medicines for patients who need to be admitted.
Castro noted Health Secretary Edwin Mercado had already convened a command conference with DOH hospitals on Tuesday to strengthen coordination and patient referrals among medical facilities.
Moreover, the DOH Operations Center is also coordinating with San Lazaro Hospital to refer patients to other hospitals in Metro Manila to help ease congestion.
All DOH hospitals, health centers, and YAKAP clinics are ready to accommodate individuals who need medical consultation after exposure to floodwaters.
Meanwhile, Malacañang will provide further updates on hospitals that can accommodate leptospirosis patients and measures to manage cases should the number of infections continue to rise, based on the outcome of the DOH meeting.
Prior to this, the Palace said on Tuesday that the government is also looking to address the increasing number of leptospirosis patients at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), which has reached full bed capacity.
In a statement on Sunday, August 23, the NKTI also said thatbit is already due to the surge in leptospirosis cases.
“To prioritize patients requiring emergency care and admission, walk-in admissions will be subject to limitations until further notice, with priority given to patients requiring urgent and critical medical interventions,” the medical institution said.
For patients seeking elective or non-emergency admission, they were advised to coordinate with their attending physician and consider other healthcare facilities with available bed capacity to avoid prolonged waiting times.
DOH chief Mercado is said to be already aware of the situation and is expected to take the necessary steps to immediately address patients’ needs, particularly those suffering from leptospirosis.
“Kaya alam din ng DOH Secretary Edwin Mercado, kung ano ang dapat na gawin para mas mabilis na matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan, lalong-lalo na doon sa mga nagsa-suffer ng leptospirosis,” Castro said.
The Philippine General Hospital (PGH), run by the University of the Philippines, has since offered to assist the NKTI if it runs short of beds or space.
Patients who are not suffering from leptospirosis may also be transferred to PGH to help free up beds at NKTI for patients who require specialized treatment.
“Kung ang mga pasyente na hindi naman nagsa-suffer ng leptospirosis, maaari naman silang lumipat sa PGH. So, makikipagtulungan ang PGH sa NKTI,” Castro said.
