The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City announced on Sunday, August 23, that it has temporarily suspended walk-in patient admissions after hitting maximum bed capacity following a spike in leptospirosis cases.
In an official advisory, the specialized hospital explained that the temporary restriction was necessitated by a high concentration of patients overwhelming its emergency department.
NKTI administration urged non-emergency patients to contact their attending doctors and consider alternative healthcare facilities with available accommodations to prevent extended waiting times.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine or feces of infected animals, particularly rodents.
Following the rise in admissions, the Department of Health (DOH) reiterated key preventive measures to reduce infection risks:
- Wear protective boots when navigating flooded areas
- Wash exposed feet immediately using clean water and soap
- Avoid wading in floodwaters, especially when harboring open wounds or skin cuts
Health authorities also cautioned the public against self-medicating, emphasizing the need to consult a medical professional before taking any leptospirosis treatments or prophylactics.