Gov’t to give P1M to kin of fallen health workers in fight vs COVID-19

By: Daphne Galvez - 4 years ago

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government will give P1 million to the families of health workers who have died in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday said the Department of Health (DOH) is already gathering reports and information from hospitals across the country to identify health workers who died due to the disease.

At present, the lives of at least six doctors were already claimed by COVID-19, he added, though he did not give their names.

“Sisiguraduhin natin na lahat ng ating health workers na nag-alay ng kanilang mga buhay upang mapangalagaan ang ating mga paseyente ay mabibigyan ng karampatang pagpupugay,” Duque said in a virtual press briefing.

(We will ensure that our health workers who gave their lives to take care of our patients will be given recognition.)

“Sa mga healthworkers na namayapa sa paglaban sa COVID-19, ang gobyerno ay magbibigay ng P1 million bilang tulong sa kanilang pamilyang naulila,” he added.

(The families of health workers who died in the fight against COVID-19 will receive P1 million from the government.)

The latest reported death of a health worker who succumbed the deadly respiratory disease was of Dr. Sally Gatchalian, sister of TV host Ruby Rodriguez. Gatchalian was the president of the Philippine Pediatric Society.

Dr. Rustico Jimenez of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAP) confirmed that Gatchalian is the 9th physician to have died of the disease.

READ: Dr. Sally Gatchalian, sister of Ruby Rodriguez, dies of COVID-19

Other fallen doctors include:

-Dr. Greg Macasaet of the Manila Doctors Hospital

-Dr. Rose Pulido of the San Juan de Dios Hospital

-Dr. Israel Bactol of the Philippine Heart Center

-Dr. Raul Jara of the Philippine Heart Center

To date, a total of 707 individuals in the country have tested positive for COVID-19, with 45 deaths and 28 recoveries. #