Life Discourse 04.12.2021: COVID 19, Death and Healthcare System Saturation

(Picture Credit: Inquirer.net)

My cousin died yesterday due to COVID 19. A death that should have avoided - because of a overly saturated health care system.

Last April 09 (Friday), we got word that my cousin needs to be hospitalized immediately. He exhibited COVID 19 symptoms (diarrhea, on and off fever and shortness of breath). His cousin and house companion was already panicking and calling her siblings. I started helping her by sending a message to a fellow HR colleague who is also a reservist and volunteer in transporting COVID 19 patients (would like to thank Jhun Del Ponso for the list).

He gave me a list of the hospitals and my aunt and I decided who's going to call what hospital. I also called the hotline (which is not working btw). Almost all hospitals are in full capacity, due to the sheer volume of those who are waiting in the Emergency Room and nearby to be admitted to the hospital. To be honest, the list stretches as far as Cavite and Laguna (one hospital in Sta. Rosa even has a waitlist of over 200 patients that needs to be hospitalized which left me speechless). I was able to talk to one hospital where my staff was confined but they do not have oxygen tanks to provide any patient.

At the end, they decided to seek the help of the barangay chairman and other connections within our public hospital to at least accommodate him. He was placed within the vicinity of the hospital, swab test to be scheduled by Monday. They were also able to buy an oxygen tank since there is none available that time.

Yesterday, after I took my bath after the exercise, I heard her crying again. This time, he was already exhibiting signs of oxygen saturation and needed to be transferred to another hospital stat. There was no one (i.e. frontliners - because they were too busy) helping them. I started calling our preferred hospital again if there were any vacancy. The nurse at the ER told me if we have a family doctor and he would call them right away, they can accommodate him. My aunt found another hospital within Metro Manila. While preparing his transfer, he had a heart attack and died. We are just waiting for the result of the swab test that will decide whether he will be cremated or we have a wake before burial. Those who he lives with will go on self-isolation as a precaution.

May I be honest - that I was frustrated with the current situation. All hospitals are in full capacity and in as much as they wanted to help everyone - they were too saturated - and I'm not talking about just facilities but also healthcare workers exhausted to the bone. We tried everything that we can but its the system that somehow failed my late cousin.

I am not going to start blaming whoever's in charge because we are also to blame here. I notice people on the streets acting as if there is no pandemic - no masks, no physical distancing and wanton disregard towards authorities that time and again, remind people to adhere to the protocols in place. Blaming will not solve our problem - we should be responsible towards each other until this pandemic is over.

The night before he died - he wanted to live and prayed that his late parents will not ask to join them (that time - a premonition). He is 65 years old and wanted to enjoy his retirement, unfortunately he did not get his wish granted. Just like the rest of them who died of COVID 19.