ANAKALUSUGAN partylist is urging the Department of Health (DOH) to make anti-leptospirosis drugs readily available in evacuation centers during the rainy season.
AnaKalusugan Partylist Rep. Ray T. Reyes said diseases like leptospirosis are likely to surge during typhoons where flooding is common.
“Leptospirosis is a preventable disease. Sa mga panahong ganito na inaasahan ang pagbaha, sana readily available na ang prophylaxis para sa mga kababayan nating kailangang lumikas sa mga evacuation centers,” Reyes said
Reyes said having leptospirosis medication readily available in evacuation centers is a proactive approach in preventing the spread of the disease during calamities.
“Hindi po biro ang sakit na leptospirosis at patuloy na tumataas ang bilang ng mga naaapektuhan nito,” the lawmaker said.
“Prevention is better than cure and we hope that we can protect our kababayans from leptospirosis before it reaches an irreversible stage,” he added.
According to the Department of Health, 1,582 cases of leptospirosis were recorded from Jan. 1 to June 3.
This is 72 percent higher compared to the 920 reported during the same period last year.
Data from the DOH’s Epidemiology Bureau also showed an increase in deaths due to leptospirosis with 161 deaths recorded compared to 135 last year.
Meanwhile, Reyes is also advising those living in areas recently hit by floods to take precautions against water and food-borne diseases, influenza-like illnesses, and dengue.
“Ibayong pagiingat po sa lahat lalo na sa mga kababayan nating nasa evacuation centers. Ang mga sakit gaya ng ubo, sipon, at lagnat ay madaling maipasa lalo na kung magkakasama ang maraming tao sa iisang lugar,” Reyes said.
Several areas in the Philippines were hit by torrential rain caused by the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Egay with some local government units (LGUs) declaring a state of calamity due to massive floods.
