‘Terrible,’ says doctor on Duterte praise of ‘heroes’

MANILA: A health expert called as “terrible” the statement of President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte explaining why frontline health workers like nurses and doctors in the campaign against the novel coronavirus ( COVID 19) were “fortunate” to be called “heroes.”

“Terrible statement. It’s not right. Many of my friends and colleagues are dead and I miss them very much,” said Dr Edsel Silvana, a health expert and a member of te technical advisory group working for the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Silvano was reacting to Duterte’s statement in his nationwide televised address late on Monday night why the health frontliners in the war on COVID-19 should be considered as “heroes.”

The Philippines recorded 227 new coronavirus cases and eight more deaths on Wednesday, the health ministry said. The latest figures brought the total number of infections and deaths in the country to 2,311 and 96, respectively.

In a mix of Filipino and English, Duterte paid tribute to health workers and called them heroes by giving up their lives in the service of the nation, particularly in the campaign against COVID-19.

“They are heroes because they are fortunate and died working in the frontlines in the campaign against the virus,” Duterte pointed out. “And when you die for such reason, then you are considered a hero.”

In reaction to the Duterte statement, Silvana countered: “I would rather not have me or my friends. I already know they are heroes. Please let me grieve.”

Prior to Duterte’s statement, Silvana called on the people to protect frontline health workers following increasing reports and complaints they were discriminated against as suspected COVID-19 carriers.

Aside from discrimination, the nurses and other health workers have also been subjected to physical attacks, banned from eating in restaurants, denied a ride in public transports and even evicted from their homes and dormitories.

In urging the public to help protect the frontliners, Silvanao cautioned that they are also entitled to protection of their rights because many of them have fallen victims as confirmed COVID-19 cases or as suspected persons under investigation (PUIS).

“They are fellow human beings who have already suffered. Don’t treat them like caged animals. Be kind,” Silvana emphasized.

In a related development, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, the IATF spokesman, announced on Wednesday that the police have been ordered to protect and ensure the safety and security of all frontline health workers especially nurses in going to and from the hospitals and similar facilities.