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DUE TO SPIKE IN CASES

Entire floor of East Ave Medical Center turned into leptospirosis ward


The entire fifth level of the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City has been converted into a ward for leptospirosis patients.

According to Jun Veneracion's report for Balitanghali on Saturday, the hospital was seeing to 21 patients who caught the disease. Even the fifth floor lobby was occupied by leptrospirosis patients being treated.

"Mas maganda po ang kundisyon dito kesa sa emergency na punung-puno na rin sa ngayon," EAMC Public Health Unit head Dr. Dennis Ordoña said.

He added that contingency plans were in order in case the number of patients continues to increase.

"Lobby na naman. Hindi po natin alam kung saang lobby pero hahanap at hahanap po tayo ng lugar," Ordoña said.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can infect humans through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment.

With the apparent spike of cases, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City has made use of its basketball court as a ward.

So far, 61 leptospirosis patients have been confined at the hospital, 41 of which were undergoing dialysis.

Should the number continue to grow, the hospital may not only need more wards but also doctors and nurses.

"Meron nang contingency plan. Pinaplano na namin kung dadami pa," NKTI Department of Adult Nephrology chairman Dr. Luis Limchiu, Jr. said.

According to Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo, there is a sufficient supply of doxycycline medicine against leptospirosis for each regional office.

The Department of Health said the excess supply allotted for Region IV-B or Mimaropa will be transported to Metro Manila. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News

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