DOH to expand subsidized scheme for lepto cases treatment

The Department of Health (DOH) is considering expanding its program for subsidized leptospirosis treatments in the provinces, in the wake of calamities caused by tropical cyclones “Ondoy" (Ketsana) and “Pepeng" (Parma). Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also reminded hospitals already under the program to show corporate social responsibility by not charging poor patients if the government subsidy is not enough. “Dito sa Manila maraming tao, dito ang pinakamalaking bilang ng leptospirosis cases. Pero i-expand namin ang programa at ita-tap ang mga ospital sa mga lugar kung saan tumataas ang bilang ng mga kaso ng leptospirosis (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. Metro Manila was flooded in the wake of tropical storm Ondoy, while several areas in Northern and Central Luzon were flooded due to cyclone Pepeng. 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. “Meron tayo sa La Union, sa Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, pero kakaunti pa rin. Kayang kaya gamutin sa pagamutan ng ating gobyerno (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. 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. On the other hand, Duque urged private hospitals to show corporate responsibility by absorbing the costs of poor patients with leptospirosis, 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. Duque said they are requesting hospitals to show corporate social responsibility by showing more consideration to poor patients. On the other hand, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control head Yolanda Oliveros reminded hospitals of sanctions if they turn away leptospirosis patients. Oliveros said hospitals that do not have the capability to treat such cases should at least administer first aid before referring the patients to other hospitals. Last 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 and typhoon Pepeng 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 had 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 are the 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