DoH preps extra hospital beds amid ‘lepto’ rise

Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Edwin Mercado said Tuesday that state-run hospitals in Metro Manila have up to 42 beds currently available for leptospirosis patients, but he has advised facilities to expand capacity following recent flooding caused by the southwest monsoon.

“Hospitals under the DoH have been advised to add more hospital beds for leptospirosis patients,” Mercado said, adding that the agency is coordinating with private hospitals to utilize their 10 to 15 percent zero-balance-billing beds if case numbers continue to climb.

The advisory follows increased admissions across key health facilities in the capital. San Lazaro Hospital in Manila is operating at 300 to 500 percent of its emergency room capacity due to the surge, while the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) temporarily limited walk-in admissions after reaching full capacity.

PGH is coordinating overflow care with the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.

According to DoH data released 22 August, nationwide leptospirosis cases reached 4,285 — a 37 percent decrease compared with the 6,839 cases recorded during the same period last year.

However, health officials noted a recent spike, with 495 cases reported between 26 July and 8 August, representing a 29 percent increase from the 383 cases logged from 12 to 25 July.

The highest concentration of cases was recorded in the National Capital Region, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

Mercado assured the public that the national government holds a stockpile of 3.1 million doxycycline capsules to treat the bacterial infection, which is transmitted through water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals such as rats.

DoH officials urged individuals exposed to floodwaters to consult a doctor immediately rather than self-medicate.