Manila hospital restricts walk-in admissions as leptospirosis cases spike

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City has implemented restrictions on walk-in admissions to its emergency room as the hospital operates at full bed capacity, citing a sharp increase in leptospirosis cases and mounting patient volume.

The measures are intended to prioritize patients requiring emergency care and urgent admission while the facility manages its current patient load. Walk-in admissions will be subject to screening and assessment protocols to determine eligibility and appropriate triage.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection spread through contaminated water and the urine of infected animals, has become a recurring public health concern in the Philippines, particularly during wet months when flooding creates conditions favorable for transmission. The disease can develop into severe leptospirosis, characterized by organ damage and acute kidney injury, which requires intensive medical intervention.

The NKTI's bed capacity constraint underscores the strain on healthcare facilities managing infectious disease cases while maintaining services for other critical conditions. Hospital officials have not announced the expected duration of the admission restrictions.