Woman's caesarian operation in Koronadal postponed due to magnitude-7.8 earthquake

The scheduled cesarean section of an expectant mother in Koronadal, South Cotabato was deferred after Monday's magnitude-7.8 earthquake jolted the city and multiple areas in Mindanao.

Video by Maria Kaycee Cassandra Watson showed that she was about to undergo a cesarean section at the Dr. Arturo P. Pingoy Medical Center when the earthquake occurred, according to a report Monday by Jonathan Andal on State of the Nation.

She was already in the operating room when the quake struck.

Kaycee's partner Allan Abao immediately went inside the hospital as the ground shook.

Prior to this, the couple decided that Kaycee would give birth before Allan embarks on his seafarer duties.

"Dumiretso na ako sa OR (operating room). Kahit bawal, dumiresto na ako, pumunta ako sa kaniya para kunin siya," Allan said.

(I went straight to the OR. Even though it was not allowed, I went in straight to her to fetch her).

Kaycee was admittedly fearful as the calamity unfolded.

"Sabi ko kung guguho ito, parang ayan na, mababagsakan na kami ng third floor. Tapos
'yung mga tangke sa gilid ko, sa front ko, lahat 'yun natutumba na silang lahat. Mga almost 20 minutes na lang mag-start na 'yun na ooperahan ako. So buti hindi nangyari 'yun na during ng operation," she said.

(I said that if it collapses, the third floor will fall on us. The tanks on my side and in front of me were all falling. I was supposed to start my surgery in about 20 minutes. So it's good that it didn't happen during the operation.)

Allan and Kaycee were grateful that their doctor and healthcare workers did not abandon them. Kaycee's cesarean delivery was rescheduled to June 10.

The hospital management said their medical facility has been deemed "structurally safe" following an inspection. — Jamil Santos/ VDV, GMA News