• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) has issued a public advisory announcing the temporary limitation of services in its Mother-and-Child units following the detection of Candida auris infections within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
In a press briefing, Medical Center Chief II Joan Cerrada said that three infants are currently involved in the outbreak.
She said that they need to limit the NICU to isolate the three infected infants from the other premature babies to avoid infection.
The first case was detected on November 26, while the third case was detected on December 14.
According to CLMMRH, the first patient is a 48-day-old female, while the second one is a 46-day-old male, and the third one is a 46-day-old female.
To protect newborns and mothers, the hospital is strengthening its Infection Prevention and Control protocols.
“Candida auris is a fungal pathogen. An opportunistic pathogen, meaning it only affects those who have problems with the immune system or those who have been in the healthcare system for too long with antibiotic use among others,” Cerrada said, noting that the infection can be transmitted through contact, contamination in terms of handling, or through one’s own body.
In response to the detection, the hospital has immediately limited admissions to the NICU which currently has 17 admitted patients, including the three quarantined babies.
“We’re trying to contain the spread of infection as much as possible. Hopefully, we will be able to contain it and we can reopen the admissions without limitations to maximize the bed occupancy as long as it will be safe to do so,” she added.
Cerrada said that the maximum number of patient admissions in NICU is 27.
The hospital management is requesting public understanding and patience, noting that cooperation is important in protecting the lives of infants and mothers during this time.*
