Camille Naredo

A view of the facade of the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on June 9, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

A view of the facade of the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on June 9, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

San Lazaro Hospital

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178712721188820220609-san-lazaro-rontgene-solante-GC-41.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="A view of the facade of the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on June 9, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">A view of the facade of the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on June 9, 2022. <em>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (UPDATED) — Severe flooding that inundated parts of San Lazaro Hospital has exposed the vulnerability of one of the country&#x27;s leading infectious disease referral centers, forcing the temporary suspension of several outpatient services and raising concerns over a surge in leptospirosis cases in the coming weeks.</p><p>While the hospital resumed normal outpatient operations on Wednesday, hospital officials say they are now preparing for two challenges — preventing future disruptions caused by flooding and responding to the expected influx of patients infected with leptospirosis following days of heavy rains.</p><p>Videos and photos taken by hospital employees showed floodwaters submerging the hospital&#x27;s parking area and surrounding compound after torrential rains. Water also entered the hospital&#x27;s main building, prompting staff to manually remove floodwater to keep essential services running.</p><p>Even a day after the flooding, water remained beneath one of the hospital&#x27;s elevators while crews continued pumping out floodwater that had accumulated in the basement of one of its newer buildings.</p><p>Despite the flooding, the hospital&#x27;s emergency room remained operational throughout the ordeal.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/8/19/leptospirosis-cases-recorded-in-manila-after-flooding-health-office-1147">READ: Leptospirosis cases recorded in Manila after flooding – health office</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>— Aging infrastructure, blocked waterway worsen flooding —</strong></div><p>Speaking to ABS-CBN News, San Lazaro Hospital Medical Center Chief Dr. David Suplico said the hospital&#x27;s aging infrastructure made the facility particularly susceptible to flooding.</p><p>&quot;Ang struktura ng San Lazaro Hospital, medyo luma na siya. Ang nangyayari, pag luma ang struktura, medyo mababa ang pagkagawa. Kaya naaabot siya ng baha,&quot; Suplico said.</p><p>He added that parts of the hospital&#x27;s roofing system also failed to withstand the intensity of Monday and Tuesday&#x27;s downpour, allowing rainwater to seep into electrical lines and other critical areas inside the building.</p><p>Hospital officials also pointed to another factor behind the worsening floods — the Estero de San Lazaro.</p><p>According to Suplico, the hospital sits beside the estero, which historically served as a drainage outlet that allowed floodwaters to recede quickly. However, he said portions of the waterway have since been covered by houses and other structures, slowing the drainage of floodwaters from the hospital compound.</p><p>&quot;Ang estero de San Lazaro medyo labasan siya sa tubig mula sa pagbabaha para mabilis na humupa ang baha. Pero napanasin namin palaki ng palaki ang baha sa San Lazaro compound at matagal po siyang humupa,&quot; he said.</p><p>With forecasts indicating more heavy rains in the coming weeks, hospital administrators said they are now exploring ways to ensure medical services remain uninterrupted while protecting both patients and healthcare workers</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>— SLH activates leptospirosis fast lane —</strong></div><p>Beyond the floodwaters, San Lazaro Hospital is preparing for another consequence of widespread flooding — the increase in leptospirosis infections.</p><p>The hospital has already activated its leptospirosis and dengue fast lane to accommodate suspected patients. As of Wednesday, 14 patients with leptospirosis were already confined at the hospital.</p><p>Doctors expect that number to rise after the disease&#x27;s incubation period.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/8/18/leptospirosis-cases-expected-to-climb-after-floods-doh-urges-early-treatment-1943">READ: Leptospirosis cases expected to climb after floods</a></div><p>&quot;Next week, marami nang pasyente ang medyo dadagsa po sa San Lazaro Hospital.,&quot; Suplico said. </p><p>&quot;Ang leptospirosis once nandiyan sa katawan mo after the incubation period medyo aatakihin niya yung mga parte ng katawan tulad ng atay at diyan ka magkakaroon ng paninilaw ng mata. Minsan pwede niyang atakihin ang baga, hirap ka nang huminga. Minsan dumudura ka na ng dugo. “</p><p>One of those already battling the disease is a 29-year-old man who now requires dialysis after developing severe leptospirosis.</p><p>His brother, Christian Reyunan, admitted they were shocked to learn that his sibling had secretly waded through floodwaters without informing the family.</p><p>&quot;Kitang-kita ko ang paghihirap niya. Hindi niya po sinabi samin na lumusong siya eh. Tinago niya sa amin. Parang pag ikaw yung nandiyan sa kalagayan na yan, parang ang hirap,&quot; Reyunan said. </p><p>Another patient was rushed to the hospital&#x27;s emergency room after suffering symptoms for five days and eventually developing difficulty urinating, a sign that the infection may already be affecting the kidneys.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>— Early treatment is critical — </strong></div><p>Health experts continue to urge people exposed to floodwaters to seek medical advice immediately and, when appropriate, take post-exposure prophylaxis using doxycycline to reduce the risk of developing leptospirosis.</p><p>Even San Lazaro Hospital employees queued for preventive medication after many were themselves exposed to floodwaters inside the hospital compound during Monday&#x27;s flooding.</p><p>Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease transmitted through water contaminated with the urine of infected animals, particularly rats. People become infected when the bacteria enter the body through cuts or wounds in the skin or through the eyes, nose, or mouth after contact with contaminated floodwater.</p><p>Initial symptoms may resemble the flu, including fever, muscle pain, headache, and vomiting. In severe cases, the disease can lead to kidney failure, liver damage, bleeding in the lungs, and even death if left untreated.</p><p>With heavy rains expected to continue, San Lazaro Hospital is urging the public to avoid wading through floodwaters whenever possible and to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop after exposure.</p>

<p>Severe flooding that inundated parts of San Lazaro Hospital has exposed the vulnerability of one of the country's leading infectious disease referral centers.</p>

Severe flooding that inundated parts of San Lazaro Hospital has exposed the vulnerability of one of the country's leading infectious disease referral centers.

Flooding disrupts some San Lazaro Hospital services for a day; doctors brace for rise in leptospirosis cases

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Flooding disrupts some San Lazaro Hospital services for a day; doctors brace for rise in leptospirosis cases

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 19, 2026 04:16 PM PHT

|

Updated August 19, 2026 06:33 PM PHT

Read More:

Department of Health

San Lazaro Hospital

flooding

leptospirosis

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