Community doctor helps Bambang in Nueva Vizcaya remain COVID-free despite lack of doctors

Thanks to the efforts of a community doctor, a town in Nueva Vizcaya remains free from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to Oscar Oida's report for "24 Oras," Dr. Anthony Cortez began preparing the municipality of Bambang as early as January, when the first COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the Philippines.

"Sabi ko parang unahan na natin, mukhang makakarating dito. So para at least nakahanda na tayo kung sakali man," he said.

The doctor implemented contact tracing all the way back to December, when many Overseas Filipino Workers went home for Christmas.

It was difficult, not only because he is the only doctor in town, but also because some residents were initially not very cooperative with their COVID-19 response.

"May mga nagalit na ayaw magpa-monitor bakit daw sila i-ho-home quarantine. Meron din naiinis na bakit daw araw-araw pupuntahan mo sila, nakakaistorbo daw," he said. "Ngayon na dumadami 'yung case, naiintindihan na po nila."

Cortez said they conduct contact tracing with the help of the so-called "tsismis brigade," who informs authorities about arriving residents.

"May magre-report directly sa akin or, 'Doc si ganito dumating 'yung kamag-anak niya galing sa ganyan.' Or i-re-report kay barangay captain," he said.

With Bambang yet to record a single case of COVID-19, Cortez couldn't be happier with his choice to serve as a community doctor and turn his back on lucrative opportunities in prestigious hospitals.

"Income-wise, not [the same] as practice in Metro Manila or as a consultant, pero siguro accomplishment, satisfaction-wise, parang mas masaya ako kahit pagod na pagod ka na sa dami ng pasyente," he said. —MGP, GMA News