NKTI hits full capacity as COVID-19, leptospirosis cases increase

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City on Sunday  declared that its COVID-19 unit is already running at full capacity.

In a statement, the NKTI said that the increasing number of COVID-19 and leptospirosis has led to the situation.

"Right now, we are in full capacity of our COVID-19 in hospital beds and the five tents with more than 50 patients at the ER (emergency room), our capacity at the ER and the units will significantly decrease," the statement indicated.

As its heath care capacity is already overwhelmed, the NKTI also appealed to Department of Health to give them additional workforce.

"We then ask from the Department of Health for staff augmentation. Our surgeries are confined only to those which have been scheduled in the next two weeks and for patients who are already in the hospital," it said.

With the pending renovation of emergency room and wards, the hospital management said it will limit its admission to emergency/urgent/renal cases in its ER.

Non-urgent cases were accepted by Jose Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, National Center for Mental Health and National Children's Hospital.

"Other cases may have to be transferred to other hospitals," it said.

NKTI also opened its gym and installed dialysis machines for their leptospirosis cases that  are separated from COVID-19 patients.

It also converted its Peritoneal Dialysis ward for treatment of suspected COVID-19 patients.

Moreover, NKTI's Internal Medicine and Nephrology outpatient consults will be further decreased starting Monday, August 9, 2021.

In 2021, the Department of Health said leptospirosis cases nationwide rose by 13%. —Consuelo Marquez/LBG, GMA News