NKTI’s ER at full capacity as leptospirosis cases surge

MANILA, Philippines — The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI)’s emergency room (ER) has reached full capacity due to a surge in leptospirosis cases, officials said yesterday.

“The ER is good for 60 patients, but admissions have now reached 120, so you can imagine our staff being overworked. They might not be able to go home because we lack manpower to monitor patients and give them medication,” NKTI deputy executive director for medical services Dr. Romina Danguilan said in a press briefing.

She noted that the additional 67 cases “are way above the usual number of patients admitted. In the ER, we still have 20 patients we have to either transfer to other hospitals or look for another area for them in NKTI.”

Earlier, the NKTI said there were 48 leptospirosis patients confined. According to the hospital, the influx of leptospirosis patients is normal after a storm.

The Department of Health advised leptospirosis patients to “divert to nearby equally capable hospitals.”