NKTI turns gym into ward amid influx of leptospirosis cases

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City has made adjustments to accommodate more leptospirosis patients, including turning its gym into a ward.

In  JP Soriano’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, “Mike” was admitted to the NKTI after he felt ill two days after he waded through floodwaters in Taytay, Rizal to buy food. 

It was later confirmed that he had severe acute leptospirosis, causing him to undergo kidney dialysis. 

“Sininat na ako, sumakit na yung mga kasu-kasuan ko….After past one day, hirap na ako sakit na ng buong katawan ko pati lalo’t binti ko ayun po hindi na ako makalakad,” he said. 

(I already have a fever, my joints are aching... After just one day, it's hard for me; my whole body hurts, especially my legs. Because of that, I can no longer walk.) 

“Mike” is just one of the 50 leptospirosis patients admitted to the hospital. Four other patients already died in the hospital due to the said disease, the report said. 

As NKTI experiences an influx of patients in its emergency room, it had to transform its wellness center and gym into a ward to accommodate various patients, including those with leptospirosis. 

More than 100 patients are currently in NKTI’s emergency room, which is beyond the 64-patient capacity.

Meanwhile, the gym has become a place for over 20 leptospirosis patients. 

Those with severe leptospirosis are admitted to the regular ward and the intensive care unit, the report added. 

“Ang mga pumupunta sa aming institution sa NKTI ay mga malulubhang kaso ng leptospirosis na nangangailangan dialysis dahil pumapalya ang kanilang bato,” said Russel Villanueva, head of NKTI’s emergency room. 

(Those who come to our institution at NKTI are severe cases of leptospirosis who require dialysis because their kidneys are failing.) 

Aside from their kidneys, the NKTI also noted that the lungs of other leptospirosis patients admitted have also been affected. 

“Yung ibang pasyente po nagkakaroon ng dugo sa kanilang baga. So nagdudura sila ng dugo. Kapag in-x-ray natin sila, yung lungs nila, puting-puti na,” said Romina Danguilan, Deputy E.D. Medical Services, NKTI. 

(Some patients develop blood in their lungs, so they spit blood. When we X-ray them, their lungs appear completely white.) 

Apart from NKTI, the emergency room of Ospital ng Maynila is already full due to leptospirosis cases. 

However, the Department of Health said that there are at least 15 public and GOCC hospitals that can accommodate leptospirosis patients. 

“Ang datos nga natin mula July 13 hanggang August 6 2025 ay 1,272 cases nationwide. 45 % na mas mababa sa naranasan natin na 2,000 cases noong parehong panahon nuong nakaraang taon,” said DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo. 

(Our data from July 13 to August 6, 2025, shows 1,272 cases nationwide. This is 45% lower than the 2,000 cases we experienced during the same period last year.) 

The DOH also clarified that the influx of patients does not have anything to do with the “Zero Balance Billing” policy that was mentioned by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his recent State of the Nation Address.

“Nuong panahon din na nag SONA yun din yung panahon na ang daming ulan, hindi ho ba? At ang incubation period ng leptospirosis [ay] one to two weeks, ito na ho talaga yung panahon na inaasahan natin,” Domingo added. 

(That period when the SONA  happened was also a time of heavy rain, wasn't it? And the incubation period for leptospirosis is one to two weeks, so this is really the time we're expecting cases to rise.) 

Further, the DOH advised the public to wear boots when wading through floodwaters. It added to immediately wash the feet, take a shower, and take the pill against leptospirosis within 24 hours. –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News