Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang on Wednesday, Aug. 26, said 33 Department of Health (DOH) hospitals have activated fast lanes for leptospirosis patients as cases rise in the aftermath of flooding from nonstop rains.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said the hospitals are in Metro Manila and Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
She said the agency is also implementing surge capacity measures to ensure enough hospital beds and medicine for admitted patients.
Castro said Health Secretary Edwin Mercado convened a command conference with DOH-run hospitals on Tuesday to strengthen coordination and patient referrals.
The DOH Operations Center is also coordinating with San Lazaro Hospital in Manila to refer patients to other regional hospitals.
