Doctors and other health workers have been on the front lines of fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic and saving lives. But they themselves are not immune from the worst effects of the virus. In Italy alone, more than 40 health workers have died since the coronavirus crisis began mere months ago. [1]

And Italy isn’t alone. In Spain, nearly 12% of confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been medical workers infected while treating others diagnosed with COVID-19. [2] Nearly every nation which has had a significant outbreak has seen health workers fall ill from coronavirus. In Manila, Philippines, Dr. Greg Macasaet, an anesthesiologist, lost his life after a battle with COVID-19. It’s suspected that he contracted coronavirus when he came into contact with a patient who had recently traveled abroad. He is among 3 health workers in Manila to die from coronavirus since the pandemic began.

On March 23rd, his wife, Dr. Evalyn Talens, learned that she had also contracted the virus and was hospitalized. As of March 30th, there are 1,546 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines with 78 deaths and 42 recoveries [3].

Read: 101-year-old man who survived 1918 flu beats coronavirus, too

Dr. Macasaet’s colleagues from Manila Doctors Hospital released a statement confirming Dr. Macasaet’s passing and expressed their grief at losing “one of the best anesthesiologists in our country” and remembered him as being a brave doctor.

Before Dr. Macasaet passed away, he wrote a final message to his family. The message was later posted to Facebook, though the original post has since been deleted.

The post reads:

“Good evening, my beloved brethren! The turn of events is just no longer going in my favor. The feeling you get, aside from extreme pains all over, difficulty of breathing and as if all life is being sucked from your body!

“They will be putting cut down lines and central tubes on me anytime soon! If they intubate me and place me on ventilator, then the game is almost over!

“If Ateng (referring to his wife) survives, then my wish for her and Raymond (his son who is with autism) for a long and happy life will bear fruition!”

“Raymond, however, needs financial and emotional care for the rest of his life! Something I may no longer be able to fulfill! It is my fervent hope that all of you may assist the rest of my family in our most difficult times!”

Dr. Macasaet also texted his godson describing his fight against COVID-19, which were later shared in a post on Facebook. [4] In his Facebook post, he describes a brave man dedicated to serving the public when others shied away from their duties as health workers.

“If you know Ninong Greg, then like me you wouldn’t be surprised at how everything unfolded and even his death speaks of the character of the man and his family. As he recounted to me, he and Ateng chose to stay when most of their colleagues chose to keep themselves safe and did not report for work,” Paraiso said in his post on Facebook.

He added: “And now Kuya Greg has made the ultimate sacrifice of life, not because he was forced or obliged to do so, but because of his dedication to his craft and his constant devotion to be of service to others.”

Paraiso hopes that people will share the story of his godfather’s life and death and also requested prayers for his wife’s recovery so that she and their son Raymond may have more years together and Raymond will receive the quality care he deserves.

“I ask you to share his story, both in life and in death, that others may learn from it, and that in his sacrifice we may pay tribute to and honor all the men and women in the frontlines who, like him, are risking self and family to serve us and keep us and our loved ones safe,” he said.

Unfortunately, Macasaet has not been the only health care worker to fall victim to COVID-19 in the Philipines. Cardiologist Israel Bactol from the Philippine Heart Center and oncologist Rose Pulido of the San Juan de Dios Hospital both succumbed to the virus [5].

Keep Reading: How Will The Coronavirus Pandemic Come To An End?

The post This Doctor Died From COVID-19. His Colleague Shared His Dying Wish For His Son appeared first on The Hearty Soul.

Doctors and other health workers have been on the front lines of fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic and saving lives. But they themselves are not immune from the worst effects of the virus. In Italy alone, more than 40 health workers have died since the coronavirus crisis began mere months ago. [1]

And Italy isn’t alone. In Spain, nearly 12% of confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been medical workers infected while treating others diagnosed with COVID-19. [2] Nearly every nation which has had a significant outbreak has seen health workers fall ill from coronavirus. In Manila, Philippines, Dr. Greg Macasaet, an anesthesiologist, lost his life after a battle with COVID-19. It’s suspected that he contracted coronavirus when he came into contact with a patient who had recently traveled abroad. He is among 3 health workers in Manila to die from coronavirus since the pandemic began.

On March 23rd, his wife, Dr. Evalyn Talens, learned that she had also contracted the virus and was hospitalized. As of March 30th, there are 1,546 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines with 78 deaths and 42 recoveries [3].

Read: 101-year-old man who survived 1918 flu beats coronavirus, too

Dr. Macasaet’s colleagues from Manila Doctors Hospital released a statement confirming Dr. Macasaet’s passing and expressed their grief at losing “one of the best anesthesiologists in our country” and remembered him as being a brave doctor.

Before Dr. Macasaet passed away, he wrote a final message to his family. The message was later posted to Facebook, though the original post has since been deleted.

The post reads:

“Good evening, my beloved brethren! The turn of events is just no longer going in my favor. The feeling you get, aside from extreme pains all over, difficulty of breathing and as if all life is being sucked from your body!

“They will be putting cut down lines and central tubes on me anytime soon! If they intubate me and place me on ventilator, then the game is almost over!

“If Ateng (referring to his wife) survives, then my wish for her and Raymond (his son who is with autism) for a long and happy life will bear fruition!”

“Raymond, however, needs financial and emotional care for the rest of his life! Something I may no longer be able to fulfill! It is my fervent hope that all of you may assist the rest of my family in our most difficult times!”

Dr. Macasaet also texted his godson describing his fight against COVID-19, which were later shared in a post on Facebook. [4] In his Facebook post, he describes a brave man dedicated to serving the public when others shied away from their duties as health workers.

“If you know Ninong Greg, then like me you wouldn’t be surprised at how everything unfolded and even his death speaks of the character of the man and his family. As he recounted to me, he and Ateng chose to stay when most of their colleagues chose to keep themselves safe and did not report for work,” Paraiso said in his post on Facebook.

He added: “And now Kuya Greg has made the ultimate sacrifice of life, not because he was forced or obliged to do so, but because of his dedication to his craft and his constant devotion to be of service to others.”

Paraiso hopes that people will share the story of his godfather’s life and death and also requested prayers for his wife’s recovery so that she and their son Raymond may have more years together and Raymond will receive the quality care he deserves.

“I ask you to share his story, both in life and in death, that others may learn from it, and that in his sacrifice we may pay tribute to and honor all the men and women in the frontlines who, like him, are risking self and family to serve us and keep us and our loved ones safe,” he said.

Unfortunately, Macasaet has not been the only health care worker to fall victim to COVID-19 in the Philipines. Cardiologist Israel Bactol from the Philippine Heart Center and oncologist Rose Pulido of the San Juan de Dios Hospital both succumbed to the virus [5].

Keep Reading: How Will The Coronavirus Pandemic Come To An End?

The post This Doctor Died From COVID-19. His Colleague Shared His Dying Wish For His Son appeared first on The Hearty Soul.