RED CROSS BOOSTS LEPTOSPIROSIS PREVENTION CAMPAIGN

THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) heightened its information drives nationwide to safeguard the community from being infected with leptospirosis and on full standby to provide medical assistance should the number of cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) continues to increase. PRC is closely coordinating with its partner hospitals in Metro Manila to augment medical provisions as the Department of Health (DOH) declared leptospirosis outbreaks in Quezon City, Taguig, Parañaque and Pasig with reported 368 leptospirosis cases since June 10 to July 4. Senator Richard Gordon, also PRC chairman, said they mobilized its staff and volunteers in its 104 Chapters nationwide to conduct health assembly, home visitation and health campaigns in coordination with the local municipal health office. The Quezon City chapter is monitoring the volume of suspected leptospirosis cases in the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) which has catered to 123 patients from June 9 to July 4. The Rizal, Malabon and Caloocan chapters strengthened its information drives after the DoH put Mandaluyong, Malabon and Navotas under its watchlist over the risk of increase.