5 private hospitals tapped to handle lepto cases

The Department of Health (DOH) has tapped five private hospitals to accommodate the deluge of leptospirosis cases in the wake of two recent cyclones. A statement on the DOH Web site said the department has entered into a memorandum of agreement with Capitol Medical Center, MCU-F.D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation Hospital, Manila Doctors Hospital, Los Baños Doctors Hospital, and The Medical City to treat cases that government hospitals can not handle. "The sudden upsurge of leptospirosis cases after the massive flooding caused by tropical storm 'Ondoy'(Ketsana) and typhoon 'Pepeng' (Parma) brought us to a situation where we need to get into special arrangements with medical facilities from the private sector to help the government treat patients, especially the non-PhilHealth member indigents," said Secretary Francisco Duque III. Other hospitals that have also expressed support include St. Luke’s Medical Center, Delos Santos-STI Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Fe Del Mundo Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Dr. Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital, Chinese General Hospital, and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Under the agreement, the DOH will subsidize the financial requirements of patients that will be referred to these hospitals. “So, with this subsidy package for leptospirosis, we aim to cover all those who needed medical attention but cannot afford to due to financial constraints," Duque said. Under the DOH subsidy package, patients with an uncomplicated case are entitled to P5,000 while those with complicated cases will get P20,000. "But patients cannot just go to these private hospitals and avail of this treatment package because only those that will be referred by DOH hospitals due to congestion will be accommodated by our pre-identified referral private facilities," Duque said. The DOH shall make appropriate referral of patients to the participating medical centers for treatment. It will also pay for every referred indigent patient based on the agreed package. Duque said participating hospitals must be equipped with hemo and peritoneal dialysis, intensive care units and ventilator capabilities. They should also set up a special ward and allot additional beds in anticipation of referrals, among other obligations. - GMANews.TV