OFW in Dubai details distress from critical condition due to COVID-19

An overseas Filipino worker in Dubai, UAE has shared his experience battling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Akala ko n'un malakas pa ako. Ayun pala, kritikal na po ako,” Ruffy Niedo, 40, said in a report of Mai Bermudez on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday.

Niedo started experiencing symptoms on April 13 and went to hospital to get checked. He underwent a COVID-19 test which yielded a positive result.

Aside from difficulty of breathing and weakness, Ruffy said he also vomited blood while in critical condition.

“Mahirap po during that time. Halos nawala na po ‘yung aking oxygen sa katawan. Bedridden ang katawan ko. Hindi ko na naigagalaw kahit ‘yung daliri ko. Hirap na akong huminga, walang pumapasok na oxygen sa lungs ko,” he said.

“Sumusuka na po ako ng dugo. Lumalabas na po ang fluid ko sa katawan ko. Nagdurugo na ang bunganga ko dahil sa pagsusuka,” he added.

His wife, Cyre, said their family was worried about Ruffy because they did not hear anything from him for a week.

“Nagwo-worry na po kami noon kasi one week na siyang ‘di kumukontak. Iniisip ko baka hindi siya maka-survive. Mamatay siya, ganun,”she said.

“Parang hindi ako prepared kapag nangyari ‘yun. Pero ‘yun po agad ang naisip ko kasi dito sa atin sa Pilipinas marami na ang namamatay,” she added.

Ruffy, a father to four children, is already recovering from the COVID-19. When his last test for COVID-19 turns negative, he will be declared recovered from the virus.

He thanked the frontliner nurses at the Rashid Hospital Trauma Center for taking care of him. —AOL, GMA News