'BINUWIS ANG BUHAY'

Duque calls doctors who died in the line of duty vs. COVID-19 as heroes

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday confirmed that three doctors have died in the line of duty battling COVID-19, and said they were heroes who risked their lives for the sake of their ill countrymen.

"Tayo'y nakikiramay sa kanilang mga pamilya. Ito'y bayani na talaga namang binuwis nila ang buhay nila para sa pangangalaga sa kanilang kapwa mamamayan na may sakit," Duque said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"Saludo ang mga Pilipino sa mga pumanaw na health workers," he added.

"Hindi na mapapalitan ang mga buhay ng mga ito," Duque said.

The Health secretary said the hero health workers will be given the proper honor in the future.

"Bibigyan natin sila ng tamang pagkilala," he said.

On Saturday, a young cardiologist died due to COVID-19 while fulfilling his duties as a doctor, the Philippine Heart Association said in a statement.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday said the death toll due to COVID-19 was 25. Total COVID-19 cases have reached 280 as more tests are being conducted.

Meanwhile, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Sunday said the DOH is investigating reports that a doctor recently died after a patient lied about medical condition and travel history. —KG, GMA News