METRO

San Lazaro Hospital's ER overflows amid leptospirosis surge

Marie Cris Estrada · Aug 24, 2026, 3:10 PM

River warrior A man balances on a makeshift raft to remove trash from the Estero de San Lazaro in Manila on Friday. He collects at least 20 sacks of garbage daily in this section of the creek, contributing to cleaner waterways amid the decline in dengue cases across the country. — Photograph by toto lozano for the daily tribune

Following a spike in leptospirosis cases due to consecutive weeks of heavy rainfall brought by the southwest monsoon, San Lazaro Hospital in Manila revealed that its emergency room is now operating at 300% to 500% of its capacity.

In an interview, Dr. David Suplico, San Lazaro Hospital medical center chief, said the hospital is nearing full capacity, with some leptospirosis patients still waiting at the express lane.

Currently, 87 leptospirosis patients are confined at San Lazaro, 26 of whom are in severe condition.

Suplico described the situation as alarming, warning that cases are expected to further increase in the coming weeks as leptospirosis can develop two to 30 days after exposure.

Similarly, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City has reached full bed capacity amid the leptospirosis surge, prompting it to temporarily limit walk-in admissions.

As of the latest count, San Lazaro Hospital has recorded three leptospirosis deaths since 10 August, including one fatality on Saturday, 22 August.