Pinoy nurse who battled COVID alongside British PM dies
battled A Filipino the coronavirus nurse who alongside British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has died.
Larni Zuniga, 54, battled the disease in intensive care at London’s St. Thomas Hospital, according to a report from British newspaper The Daily Mirror.
The National Health Service nurse was being treated in the same intensive therapy unit as the prime minister, his family confirmed.
Tributes have been paid to Zuniga, who “touched the lives of the
people around him.”
Zuniga’s cousin, who is also a nurse, said: “Larni was a true professional, who touched the lives of many.
“He made a tremendous difference to a lot of people’s lives and he was highly respected by patients and colleagues alike.”
Zuniga, who worked at a care home in Bagshot, Surrey, died April 24 after a three-week fight in intensive care at St. Thomas’s, where he was said to be “one of the sickest patients.”
The much-loved health worker had worked in the UK for 12 years and had not seen his family for five years, said The Mirror, quoting The Daily Star.
He was in the process of applying for his wife Edith to join him in the country before he was struck down by COVID-19.
Writing on a GoFundMe charity page, friend Arnold Barrientos said he wanted to raise money to support Zuniga’s family in memory of “this hero.”
Barrientos said: “Larni had absolutely sacrificed a lot for his family. He worked hard and he battled hard times of not seeing his family just to ensure a comfortable life for them.
“He influenced a lot of people with his godly counselling and loving, warm personality.
“He had so many unfulfilled dreams concerning his family due to this early demise but with the little we can give at least would help to alleviate some of their concerns.”
His daughter Mutya wrote on Facebook : “I just can’t stop crying. It’s too painful to bear.
“You touched the lives of the people around you and made us so proud of you. You are the best dad! Thank you for all the sacrifices for our family,” Mutya said.
Nurse to British elderly
A Filipino nurse has been among those guarding vulnerable groups in the United Kingdom against the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Maureen Moreno-Akhaine, who hails from San Pedro, Laguna, has been running a home care service for the elderly in the UK for the past five years.