Nearly 70 leptospirosis patients admitted at NKTI

Nearly 70 individuals suffering from leptospirosis are currently admitted at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) amid the influx of patients following the onslaught of tropical cyclone Carina and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon.

NKTI Deputy Executive Director for Medical Services Romina Danguilan on Friday said that a total of 67 leptospirosis patients were being treated at the hospital.

“We have 67 patients…Lahat po 'yan kailangan nila ng dialysis dahil 'yung kidneys nila hindi na umubra at 'yung kanilang pancreas, atay, lahat affected. May ilan sa kanila severe…Meron dalawa na naka-intubate, may respirator sila kasi puno ng dugo ang kanilang baga,” Danguilan told Super Radyo dzBB. 

(We have 67 patients…They all need dialysis. Some of them were severe and there were two who were intubated.)

Leptospirosis, a potentially serious infection caused by wading through waters contaminated by the urine of infected animals such as rats, is caused when the bacteria enters the human body through fresh wounds or through the mouth, nose, or eyes. Symptoms include fever, nausea, dizziness, and body fatigue.

Earlier, the NKTI converted its gymnasium into a leptospirosis ward to cater to the rising number of patients. However, the hospital requested 20 more nurses and 10 more doctors from the Department of Health (DOH) to address their lack of manpower. 

“Mayroon pa tayong sapat na hemodialysis atsaka we also use peritonial dialysis kaya nakakayanan po natin,” said Danguilan. 

(We still have enough hemodialysis and peritonial dialysis.)

“Ang kailangan po namin sana at hinihingi namin sa DOH, we need additional staff kasi we have converted our gym into a lepto ward. Right now there are 30 patients with lepto dyan sa ating gym and we’re going to add ten more cots para maakyat namin ang mga pasyente galing ER,” she added. 

(We reiterate our call to the DOH. We need additional staff.)

The DOH has yet to respond to their request, according to Danguilan. She called on volunteer nurses to apply to augment their manpower. 

“We will try to see how we can give them honorarium. Please call our nursing office because naghahanap po talaga kami,” Danguilan added. 

(We will try to see how we can give them honorarium. Please call our nursing office because we need additional workers.)

The DOH said it is now assessing its clinical, epidemiologic, and logistics situation to “effectively respond to the anticipated rise in leptospirosis after the floods of Typhoon Carina and the enhanced Habagat.''

“Secretary Herbosa has already instructed a DOH command conference the moment NKTI informally texted him of the situation,” DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo told GMA News Online.

“The Department is now assessing the clinical, epidemiologic, and logistics situation to effectively respond to the anticipated rise in leptospirosis [cases] after the floods of Typhoon Carina and the enhanced Habagat,” he said.

In a separate statement, the DOH advised the NKTI to divert suspected leptospirosis cases to “nearby equally capable hospitals.''

Last month, the Health Department said it was expecting an uptick on the number of leptospirosis cases in the country due to the heavy rains brought about by the tropical cyclone and the Southwest Monsoon. 

A total of 1,258 leptospirosis cases were recorded in the country as of July 13, with 133 deaths, it added.  —VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News