DOH says health system can handle rising number of leptospirosis cases

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.

(Our health system can adequately handle [patients with leptospirosis].)

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. Parang noong panahon ng COVID, para malaman saan may bakanteng kama," Domingo added.

(We launched hotlines yesterday: landline (02) 8531-0037; mobile number 0920-283-2758. That is the cellphone number that doctors and patients with leptospirosis may contact. Just like during the COVID-19 pandemic, one can call that number to check which hospital has an available bed.)

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 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.

(As of yesterday afternoon, our DOH hospitals and the Philippine Red Cross were able to send personnel [to NKTI].)

"Sa usaping health system, supply and demand 'yan. Hindi kulang ang supply kung ang pag-uusapan ay buong Metro Manila dahil marami tayong ospital. Pero nagkataon na ang mga pasyente ay minabuting pumunta ng NKTI kaya mukhang nagkukulang sa ospital na 'yun," he said.

(When it comes to health system, it's a matter of supply and demand. Supply is not lacking if we are talking about Metro Manila because we have a lot of hospitals. But it's just that patients prefer to go to NKTI so it looks like that hospital lacks [personnel].)

"Hindi tayo kulang. Maraming doktor at nurse. Nasa ibang ospital nga lang sila. Kailangan nating i-divert ang mga pasyente kung nasaan naroon at handang tumanggap ang ating mga ospital," the DOH official said.

(We are not lacking [in personnel]. There are many doctors and nurses. It's just that they are in other hospitals. We need to divert patients to hospitals that are ready to receive them.)

Seek medical attention

Domingo advised those who were exposed to the recent 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.

(Those exposed to flood for whatever reason last month and are experiencing symptoms such as fever, body aches, especially in the lower part of the leg or calf, yellowish eyes, change in color of waste and urine, should proceed immediately to health centers. Not to hospitals right away. These could be signs of leptospirosis.)

"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.

(Don't think that it is nothing. If you have the combination of exposure to flood and symptoms, do not think twice or thrice [about seeking medical attention].)

"Magtanong ho kayo kasi mas madali ang prophylaxis, dalawang capsule na may reseta, kaysa nakahiga sa dialysis machine," he said.

(Consult [medical professionals] because prophylaxis — two capsules with prescription — is easier as compared to using a dialysis machine.)

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.

(NKTI and San Lazaro Hospitals are not the only hospitals in Metro Manila. We have a big health system with many hospitals, including NKTI of course, and San Lazaro. But there is East Avenue Medical Center, there is Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center, and the list goes on.)

"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.

(A patient with leptospirosis does not have to be brought to NKTI only. We were discussing yesterday why NKTI is becoming known for lepto. It's because they have kidney specialists.)

"'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.

(Let us not forget that it's not only NKTI that does dialysis. Dialysis is being done in almost all, if not all, hospitals. And there are freestanding dialysis centers as well.)

"Kayang-kaya rin ng ibang ospital na gamutin ang leptospirosis," Domingo said.

(Other hospitals can ably treat leptospirosis.)

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.

He added that when severe, leptospirosis will affect three organs — kidney, liver, and brain.

"Chances of survival kung pa-severe nang pa-severe, bumababa," Domingo said.

(When a case becomes more and more severe, the chances of survival becomes lower.)  —KG, GMA Integrated News