DOH eyes tapping private hospitals in provinces vs lepto

After tapping an initial batch of private hospitals to help it handle leptospirosis cases in the wake of floods from recent cyclones, the Department of Health is planning similar arrangements with private hospitals in the provinces. But Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also reminded these hospitals to show corporate social responsibility by not charging poor patients if the government subsidy is not enough. "Most cases have been in Metro Manila so far. But there is no reason for us not to expand this effort and tap hospitals in the provinces to help us handle leptospirosis cases," Duque said in an interview on dzBB radio. A wide part of Metro Manila was flooded in the wake of tropical storm "Ondoy" (Ketsana), while several areas in northern and central Luzon were flooded due to cyclone "Pepeng" (Parma). Duque said there are many possible cases of leptospirosis in flooded provinces like La Union, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija, though he said government hospitals have so far been able to handle the cases there. "We have leptospirosis cases in La Union, Bulacan and Nueva Ecija but they are relatively few and our government hospitals can handle them," he said in Filipino. He also said there appears to be a decline in new cases of leptospirosis, at least for now. Citing reports reaching him, he said leptospirosis cases peaked from October 14 to 19, with hospitals admitting up to 350 cases a day. But from October 20 to 22, the new cases declined to about 50 to 80 cases a day. Duque also said the possible expansion of the subsidy program to the provinces is in preparation for Typhoon Ramil (Lupit). "Maganda namang balita ito pero sana huwag na tumaas dahil kay Ramil (The decline of cases is good news but we are hoping these will not go up again because of Ramil)," he said. He added the DOH's subsidy budget of P60 million is enough for the purpose. On the other hand, Duque urged private hospitals to show corporate responsibility by absorbing the costs of poor leptospirosis patients, if the government subsidy for them proves insufficient. Under the DOH subsidy package, patients with an uncomplicated case are entitled to P5,000, while those with complicated cases will get P20,000. "That is our request to them, to show corporate social responsibility. If they can charge their wealthy clients, we will not intervene. But we ask them to show consideration to the poorer patients," Duque said. On Thursday, the DOH tapped five private PhilHealth-accredited hospitals to help it accommodate leptospirosis patients. "The sudden upsurge of leptospirosis cases after the massive flooding caused by tropical storm 'Ondoy'(Ketsana) and typhoon 'Pepeng' (Parma) brought us to a situation where we need to get into special arrangements with medical facilities from the private sector to help the government treat patients, especially the non-PhilHealth member indigents," Duque said. Private hospitals tapped by the DOH include Capitol Medical Center, MCU-F.D. Tanchoco Medical Foundation Hospital, Manila Doctors Hospital, Los Baños Doctors Hospital, and The Medical City. Other hospitals that have also expressed support include St. Luke’s Medical Center, Delos Santos-STI Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Fe Del Mundo Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Dr. Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital, Chinese General Hospital, and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. Under the agreement, the DOH will subsidize the financial requirements of patients that it will refer to these hospitals. “But patients cannot just go to these private hospitals and avail of this treatment package because only those that will be referred by DOH hospitals due to congestion will be accommodated by our pre-identified referral private facilities," Duque pointed out. Participating hospitals must be equipped with hemo and peritoneal dialysis, intensive care units and ventilator capabilities. They should also set up a special ward and allot additional beds in anticipation of referrals, among other obligations. - GMANews.TV