Bong Go stresses urgency in addressing leptospirosis spike
IN light of a concerning uptick in leptospirosis cases in Metro Manila, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, is calling for increased community vigilance and a multi-faceted approach to disease prevention.
Go emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy involving active community participation. “Magkaisa tayo sa pagtugon sa leptospirosis. Ang pagiging alerto at handa ay makakapagligtas ng buhay,” he said.
Go underscored the importance of community awareness about the risks of floodwater exposure and the critical need for early symptom recognition and medical consultation.
He supported the Department of Health’s proposal to ban swimming in floodwaters, a measure that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will soon discuss further.
“Sumunod tayo sa paalala ng ating mga health workers, sumunod tayo sa mga health protocols… Sa panahon ng tag-ulan at pagbaha, isa sa mga sakit na kinakailangang bantayan ay ang leptospirosis. Sa gitna ng ating pagharap sa mga kalamidad tulad ng Bagyong Carina, mahalaga na tayo ay maging maingat at alisto sa ating kalusugan,” Go urged.
The recent data revealed that over 60% of leptospirosis admissions at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila are either severe or moderate, with the hospital currently treating 149 patients—a significant rise from the previous averages.
Many of these cases were exposed to bacteria during the flooding caused by Typhoon Carina, with many victims having swum in contaminated floodwaters. The serious nature of the current outbreak is underscored by late hospital admissions, resulting in 49 severe cases and eight fatalities due to complications such as renal failure and pulmonary hemorrhage.
Amid these challenges, Go has advocated for the utilization of Malasakit Centers. These are one-stop shops that aim to support impoverished patients in reducing their hospital costs to the least possible amount.
“Huwag ho kayong mahihiyang lumapit sa mga Malasakit Centers. Para po ‘yan sa Pilipino. Nalulungkot po ako tuwing may mga nag-aalangan magpatingin sa doktor dahil natatakot sila sa babayaran sa hospital. Pangalagaan niyo po ang inyong kalusugan at ang Malasakit Center ay handang tumulong sa inyo!,” he said.
Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, which institutionalized the Malasakit Centers program. Currently, 166 Malasakit Centers are operational across the country, poised to assist with patients’ medical expenses. The DOH reports that the Malasakit Center program has already provided aid to more or less ten million Filipinos.
Go is also pushing for the establishment of more Super Health Centers nationwide, considering how they can significantly help reduce hospital occupancy rates while bringing government medical services closer to the grassroots.
Super Health Centers are designed to focus on primary care, consultation, and early detection, further strengthening the healthcare sector in the country, especially in grassroots communities.
