After battling against COVID-19, some doctors looking to return to frontlines

Some doctors who contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the frontlines of the pandemic said they look forward to returning to the hospital floor once they have recovered from the illness.

Dr. Jose Antonio Bautista, a 32-year-old adult cardiology fellow at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City, became the country’s Case 253 after attending to COVID-19 patients.

He began experiencing fever, chills, and muscle pain, but initially tested negative for the respiratory disease.

“Base kasi sa mga pagsusuri, may nagsasabing puwedeng technical error. Pangalawa, puwedeng hindi pa ganun kataas ‘yung viral load, [hindi] sufficient enough para ma-detect siya ng testing kit,” he said on 24 Oras report by Oscar Oida on Monday.

He tested positive for COVID-19 on March 20 after undergoing quarantine and confinement due to his worsening condition.

Bautista said his friends and family kept him strong throughout the ordeal.

It took high-level antibiotics such as hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin to improve his condition.

The doctor has since regained his strength and is now awaiting the results of his repeat COVID-19 test.

“Nag-usap na kami ng department ko na pagkatapos nito, once na makalabas na ako, pati ‘yung mga ibang kasama ko dito na naapektuhan din ng ganitong sakit, ay babalik talaga kami sa ospital at gagamot pa rin kami ng pasyente,” he said.

Meanwhile, 31-year-old surgical resident Dr. Armine Supnet from the University of Santo Tomas Hospital said having COVID-19 was the hardest experience of his life.

“Ito po ang pinakamahirap na experience na aking dinanas kasi from being a physician na ako nag-aalaga sa pasyente, nahantong ako sa sitwasyon na wala akong magawa,” he said.

“Pahalagahan natin ang ating frontliners. Sinasakripisyo nila ang buhay nila para sa atin,” he added.

COVID-19 has claimed the lives of at least 10 doctors who led efforts to combat the spread of the disease.

Nationwide, the disease has infected over 3,000 people, 163 of whom have died while 73 have recovered. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News