By Rod Lagusad
Healthcare workers have been on the frontlines since the pandemic began more than a year ago, and their sacrifice to save lives remains incomparable.
The Department of Health (DOH) recently redeployed healthcare workers from different regions to the National Capital Region (NCR) as the hospitals in the metropolis need more medical frontliners.
Kerwin John Medina is one of the nurses who heeded the DOH’s call to be redeployed to NCR. He is from the DOH Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
Initially he felt uncertain about his safety when he got the news that he was to be redeployed in Metro Manila, where the number of COVID-19 cases is very high. But he said, “It doesn’t end there.”
“Hindi natitigil dun eh. Hindi porket natatakot ka hanggang dun lang, so ‘yung oath namin to take care doon sa mga taong in need is andu’n, ‘yung passion mo. [But] of course hihingin mo ‘yung guidance nung nasa taas,” he said.
[It doesn’t end there. It’s not just because you are afraid, so that’s it; our oath to take care of people in need is there, your passion. But of course you ask for guidance from above.]
He was assigned to East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City and this is where he saw the gravity of the situation of many COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital.
As the healthcare workers remain true to their oath to serve, it is impossible for them not to be exhausted as there are instances when they are put on a 12-hour shift where they don’t often get a break.
“Imagine kailangan mong pigilan ‘yung gutom mo, kailangan mong pigilan ‘yung pag-ihi mo, para lang matapos ‘yung mga kailangan mong gawin para makatulong doon sa mga pasyenteng nangangailangan — so hindi siya biro na trabaho,” he added.
[Imagine having to endure your hunger, your urge to urinate, just to finish what you have to do so that you can help the patients in need — so this job is no joke.]
Aside from the struggle they are experiencing as they fulfil their duties, they are separated from their families and they are exposed to the virus.
Just this February Jerkin De Varra, a nurse from Bicol Medical Center in Naga City, Camarines Sur, contracted COVID-19.
He was redeployed to Metro Manila at Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City.
De Varra said it is part of their sacrifice and if there’s another opportunity, he will not hesitate to be a volunteer again.
“Sabi ko nga nag-nurse ako, kasi alam ko na ito ‘yung gusto ko,” De Varra said. [I told myself, I became a nurse, because I know that this is what I really want to do.]
Despite being exhausted and at risk while at work every day, Irvin Sandia, a nurse from Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City, Albay, proudly said that it is worth it to take care of the patients.
He said to be a healthcare worker was his childhood dream.
“Big reward sa akin na makita silang — ‘yung mga konting ngiti lang, umuwi sila na magaling, big reward na ‘yun sa akin,” he said. [It’s a big reward for me just to see a small smile, to see them go home cured.]
More than a job, to help those in need is part of the oath they took when they entered their profession.
Healthcare workers are heroes as they serve the public despite the risk, as they perform their duties to help those in need.
