9 doctors among coronavirus fatalities
NINE doctors were among the country’s 45 fatalities from the coronavirus disease 2019 ( Covid-19), the Department of Health (DoH) reported on Thursday.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd said the latest fatality was the president of the Philippine Pediatric Society, Sally Gatchalian.
The sister of comedienne Ruby Rodriguez, Gatchalian died Thursday morning.
Duque said the families of the deceased doctors will receive P1 million each from the government.
“Mayroonpotayong special assistance naibibigaysamga doctor nanamatay…anggobyernoay magbibigayng P1 millioin bilang tulongsakanilangmganaulila,” said Duque during a televised daily press briefing.
Earlier, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) President Dennis de Guzman revealed the names of the other eight doctors during a phone interview on DZBB radio.
Two were cardiologists from the Philippine Heart Center — Doctors Israel Bactol and Raul Jara. The others were Doctors Rose Pulido, oncologist at the San Juan de Dios Hospital; Greg Macasaet 3rd, anesthesiologist at the Manila Doctors Hospital; Henry Fernandez of the Pangasinan Medical Society; Marcelo Jaochico of the Pampanga Provincial Health Center; Raquel Seva, an OB-Gyne in Laguna; and Hector Alvarez of the Novaliches District Hospital.
“We’re still gathering the reports from hospitals as we’ll make sure that the health workers who sacrificed their lives will be given the honor they deserve,” said Duque.
As of 4 p. m. Thursday, the country has 707 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, while 28 were reported to be recovered.
Ruby Rodriguez tweeted her tribute to her sister: “We will only remember you with happy memories, laughing and sleeping. I love you so much, my big sister. Be at peace; do not worry about us anymore.”