CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH) has strengthened its response to leptospirosis in Pampanga by ensuring the availability of medicines and medical equipment, improving hospital preparedness, and extending assistance to patients and families affected by the southwest monsoon, or habagat.
Health Secretary Edwin Mercado, together with DOH Central Luzon Center for Health Development (CLCHD) Regional Director Corazon Flores, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda and other local officials, visited health facilities and flood-affected communities in the province on September 5 to assess the health situation and ensure that residents have access to timely medical care.
Mercado first visited the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH), where he met with Medical Center Chief Monserrat Chichioco to review the hospital’s measures for managing leptospirosis cases.
The hospital has established a leptospirosis fast lane and dedicated beds for patients, while officials also discussed plans to further upgrade equipment to improve the facility’s capacity to manage severe cases.
Mercado also visited the hospital’s leptospirosis units, where he checked on patients and encouraged them to follow medical advice to support their recovery.
The health secretary later proceeded to an evacuation center in Bacolor town, where he reminded families displaced by flooding to take precautions against diseases associated with exposure to contaminated floodwaters.
He assured residents that DOH health facilities, in coordination with local government units, have medicines available and are prepared to respond to the medical needs of affected communities.
“Kung mayroon po kayo nararamdamang di maganda, agad po kayo lumapit sa ating mga health workers na handang magbigay ng konsultasyon at mga gamot para di lumala ang inyong kondisyon,” Mercado said.
Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira bacteria, which can be transmitted through contact with floodwater or water contaminated with the urine of infected animals, according to the DOH.
The agency advised the public to avoid wading through floodwaters whenever possible. When exposure cannot be avoided, residents are encouraged to wear boots, cover wounds with waterproof bandages, and wash exposed parts of the body thoroughly with soap and clean water.
The government is also providing financial assistance to patients and families affected by leptospirosis and dengue.
As of September 3, a total of 76 patients diagnosed with leptospirosis or dengue at JBLMGH had received financial assistance through the collaborative efforts of the DOH CLCHD, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Provincial Government of Pampanga, and JBLMGH.
The assistance aims to help ease the financial burden on patients and their families as they undergo treatment and recovery.
Leptospirosis and dengue are also covered by the hospital’s Zero Balance Billing policy, allowing eligible patients to receive necessary medical care without out-of-pocket expenses for covered services.
These efforts support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-government approach to ensuring that communities affected by disasters and health emergencies receive timely medical care and assistance.
The DOH CLCHD continues to remind residents to seek consultation promptly when they experience symptoms after exposure to floodwater. (Rick P. Quiambao)
