Hypertensive PGH head nurse gave her life to fulfill oath

The head nurse of the Philippine General Hospital who died of respiratory failure gave everything she could to help patients fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to Victoria Tulad's report for "24 Oras," Faye Marie Luna Palafox, 46, was on duty for seven straight days before she was found unconscious inside her room.

Her niece, Ericka, said the fatigue could have set off her health complications: hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.

"Sa duty niya medyo meron siyang mga limitations na hindi naman puwedeng gawin," she said. "Siguro naka-trigger talaga 'yung pressure, 'yung stress."

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Ericka said they already told her aunt to take a vacation leave, but Faye did not want leave her colleagues amid the health crisis.

"Sabi niya kasi she cannot back up, she has her duties and moral obligations, kaya she still... nag-duty pa rin po siya," she said.

Faye had always been cheerful and resilient, but Ericka later learned that her aunt also had her own anxieties.

"Nung nahawakan ko 'yung cellphone niya ngayon na wala na siya, sa iba niya pala sinasabi na natatakot siya, na nahihirapan siya, na kinakabahan po siya kasi baka may mangyari sa kanya while on duty," she said.

Faye tested negative for COVID-19, but she still had to be cremated like many others who died amid the pandemic. It was difficult for her family because she wished to be buried with her parents.

Still, her family and friends will remember her for her over two decades of selfless service to PGH.

"Sobrang hats off, sobrang salute kasi siya 'yung perfect example na dapat tularan ng lahat," Ericka said. —MGP, GMA News