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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Steve Rogers' moment: Doctor boosts COVID-positive DENR exec's morale with gutsy one-liner

'Steve Rogers' moment: Doctor boosts COVID-positive DENR exec's morale with gutsy one-liner

Published Apr 8, 2021 06:11 pm

The gutsy resolve of a home care doctor was shared on Facebook by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-stricken Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Usec. Benny Antiporda on Wednesday, April 7.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Usec. Benny Antiporda

In his post, the DENR official narrated the events last March 27, 2021, which according to him was the sixth day after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Antiporda had apparently been in close contact with Philippine General Hospital (PGH) spokesperson, Dr. Jonas del Rosario throughout his ordeal especially after learning that "no hospital could accommodate to him anymore," presumably due to reaching full capacity.

"(Del Rosario) recommended that we seek the help of BDJ Homecare Services through Dr. Basilio Diego Jr. Immediately Dr. Diego sent his team to check us out," he wrote.

"Panatag na sana loob ko nang malaman kong may doktor na titingin sa amin, pero nung malaman ko na mismong si Dr. Diego pala ay infected ng COVID kaya hindi siya makapunta sa amin bigla akong nanlumo (I was supposed to be calmed by the presence of doctor, but when I learned that the reason why Dr. Diego couldn't come himself was because he also had COVID, I suddenly felt depressed)," he said.

"Para bang unti unting sumisikip ang mundo ko (It was as if my world was slowly shrinking)," added the indisposed official.

It was at that moment when Dr. Diego channeled Steve Rogers of Captain America fame and made a promise to Antiporda via text, "Magtiwala ka lang Usec ililigtas ko kayo kahit may sakit ako (I will save you Usec, even if I myself am sick, trust me)."

After that, the BDJ team went to work on Antiporda and stabilized the patient the best they can.

"Sinaksakan kagad ako ng Remdesivir, Piptaz, Dexamethasone, Omerprazole, at marami pang ibang gamot na hindi ko kilala (I was immediately given Remdesivir, Piptaz, Dexamethasone, Omerprazole, and many other medicines that weren't familiar to me)," Antiporda said.

"Bagamat umigi ng kaunti ang aking paghinga matindi pa rin ang paghingal kahit konting galaw lang, ganoon pala talaga ang COVID (Although my breathing improved, I still get shortness of breath from minor movements, so that's what COVID is like)," he further narrated.

A separate Facebook post from Antiporda on Thursday morning, April 8 revealed that he remains COVID-positive.

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