The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) intensified its operations nationwide as leptospirosis cases rose following recent typhoons and widespread flooding.
PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said the organization remains prepared to support hospitals and protect communities during public health emergencies.
“I commend our volunteer medical corps and staff who continue to answer the call, often at short notice, to serve our people in times of need,” he said.
The Philippine General Hospital recently reported full capacity in its emergency room amid the spike in cases.
Gordon said he contacted PGH Director Dr. Gap Legaspi to offer PRC’s resources for patient overflow and while PGH has since stabilized its operations, the PRC remains on standby for deployment.
Meanwhile, health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon criticized the government’s slow response to the outbreak and described the issue as “Kleptopirosis,” linking the annual surge in cases to corruption and mismanagement of flood control and health budgets.
He said the real problem lies in the misuse of funds and delayed disaster infrastructure projects.
“Leptospirosis surges every year because floods surge every year. And floods surge every year because flood control funds are either misused, delayed, or siphoned off entirely. In a country visited by 20 typhoons annually, this is not just negligence, it is sabotage,” Leachon said.
Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin over the weekend argued, however, that the surge in leptospirosis cases is unrelated to controversial flood control projects.
“Leptospirosis is a different matter. If you ask me, linking it to flood control projects is just politicking,” she said.
Garin added that the outbreak instead reflects failures in communication and implementation despite the availability of budget and affordable medicines.
