The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Monday assured the public of its close coordination with the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) to strengthen referral protocols amid the seasonal rise in leptospirosis cases.
In an official statement, the hospital management noted that both PGH and NKTI are currently attending to a higher volume of leptospirosis patients due to the recent flooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains.
To optimize hospital resources, PGH announced it is ready to accept non-leptospirosis cases currently under NKTI’s care, allowing the specialized institute to focus its capacity on leptospirosis patients requiring specialized renal care.
“This reflects our institutions’ longstanding partnership and shared commitment to timely, appropriate care for every patient—regardless of which facility they first approach,” the PGH said.
PGH added that the measure “strengthens, not strains, both institutions’ capacity,” assuring that both hospitals remain closely coordinated to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to ongoing patient care.
In light of the situation, PGH reminded the public to observe key health precautions against leptospirosis, urging individuals to avoid unnecessary contact with floodwater, particularly if they have open wounds.
If flood exposure is unavoidable, the hospital advised taking doxycycline prophylaxis as recommended by a primary care physician, the Rural Health Unit, or through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program, and thoroughly and promptly washing and disinfecting exposed skin.
PGH also emphasized the importance of seeking immediate medical consultation should symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, or headache develop following exposure.
“PGH remains steadfast in its mission to serve the Filipino people, and we thank the public for their continued trust and cooperation as we navigate this challenging period together,” it said.
On Sunday, the NKTI informed the public that walk-in admissions will be subject to limitations until further notice to prioritize patients requiring emergency care and admission due to the current surge in leptospirosis cases and high patient volume in its emergency room.
Patients requiring urgent and critical medical interventions will be prioritized, it said.
It advised patients seeking elective or non-emergency admission to coordinate with their attending physician and consider other healthcare facilities with available bed capacity to avoid prolonged waiting times. (PNA)
