Filipinos are mourning the deaths of five doctors who died
within three days of each other at the frontline of the battle in the
Philippines against the deadly coronavirus disease, Covid-19.
The latest to succumb to the disease were two renowned
specialists in their fields, Dr Raul Jara and Dr. Marcelino Jaochico.
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| Dr Raul Jara |
Dr Jara, a cardiologist and former president of the
Philippine Heart Association, passed on Mar 24, after being in critical
condition for several days. A graduate of the University of the Philippines, Dr
Jara served as former head of the UP Philippine General Hospital Cardiology
training program before he moved to the Philippine Heart Center.
In a tribute, the PHA said: “It is with profound sadness
that we announce the loss of one of the great pillars of Cardiology, PHA Past
President Dr Raul Diaz Jara. He was a great father, teacher, mentor, poet,
author, singer, colleague, friend. One who has spent his life teaching. One who
never got tired to impart knowledge and wisdom."
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| Dr Marcelino Jaochico |
On the same day, highly respected barrio doctor, Marcelino
Jaochico, also lost his battle against the virus. Dr Jaochico, the first Most
Oustanding Awardee of the government’s Doctor to the Barrios program, was the
provincial health officer of Pampanga.
In a Facebook post, his daughter Cielo, appealed to the
public to remember her father not as someone who succumbed to the dreaded
disease but one who had done so much for Pampanga and the country.
“Please do not remember him as someone who just died because
of Covid-19. Sobrang dami niyang ginawa para sa bayan. Please pray for his
soul. Please pray for the souls of those who are still fighting,” she said.
On Mar 22, anesthesiologist Dr Gregorio Macasaet III of the
Manila Doctors Hospital also lost the battle against the dreaded disease. His
wife, Dr. Evalyn Macasaet, fell ill at the same time, but has reportedly
recovered since.
Dr Macasaet wrote a touching letter in which he described
his losing battle to the disease, and called on his friends to look after his
wife and their only son who is autistic.
Manila Doctors said in a tribute: “…We lost not just a
doctor but a friend, colleague, co-worker, father, and husband. He had impacted
the lives of his patients at Manila Doctors and his fellow doctors and the
nurses who worked beside him."
The hospital described Macasaet as one of the best
anesthesiologists in the country and one of the first responders to a patient
who eventually died from Covid-19.
Two other medical heroes died a day earlier. Another barrio
doctor, Israel Bactol, a cardiologist also at the PHC, died at the young age of
34. Dr Bactol reportedly got infected by a patient who lied about her travel to
China, and eventually died from Covid-19.
PHA executive director Dr Joel M. Abanilla described Bactol in
a bulletin as “a young, brilliant, promising doctor” and a “casualty of this
war.”
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Colleagues remembered him for being kind and humble.
Following his death, the PHC put up his photo in the
hospital’s lobby, and people have been bringing flowers as tribute.
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| Dr Rose Pulido |
Also hailed as a hero is Dr Rosalinda Pulido, an oncologist at
the San Juan de Dios Hospital, who also succumbed to the virus on Mar 21.
A message from her fellow La Salle alumni posted in the Bayanihan
at Mga Bayani Facebook group for Covid-19 heroes, said: “Before helping Covid
patients, Dr. Rose Pulido was in service to patients suffering from cancer.
Thank you for the countless times you’ve extended your hand to those in need.
You have lived a remarkable life of service. Your fellow Lasallians are
immensely grateful, Dr. Rose.”
To date, at least nine other infected doctors are said to be
in various hospitals, fighting valiantly against the dreaded disease, some of
them in critical condition, including Dr. Sally Gatchalian, who heads the
Philippine Pediatrics Society.
The others are: Francis Dimalanta, Marie Valbuena, Kiko Lukban,
Tess Castro, Dolic Ng, Grace Carras-Torres, Ronnie Mateo, and Raldy Goco. Those
who have recovered are Dr Fernando Ayuyao and Dr. Evalyn Macasaet.
Various people have been posting calls for prayers for those
still struggling against the disease, and thanksgiving for those who fell in
the line of duty.
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