Veronica Ramos-Jalimao experienced prelabor rupture of membrane or water breaking early April and had to give birth at eight months. This was an emergency the family didn't expect would put them in a very difficult situation.
According to Veronica’s husband Jhestony Jalimao, when Veronica’s water broke around nine in the evening of April 4, 2021, they brought her to Quirino Memorial Center (QMMC), also known as Labor Hospital in Quezon City. But unfortunately, they were not accommodated because the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was close due to COVID-19 positive babies.
The family went to different public hospitals in Quezon City until dawn, because aside from the pandemic situation, there was no available NICU slots for them. With three lives at stake, they have no choice but to take their chances to private hospitals, even though they know they might not afford the expenses. All that Jesthony wanted that early morning was to save his family.
After hopping to 10 Q.C. hospitals coming from their home in Marikina, they ended up in St. Lukes Hospital in E. Rodriguez, Quezon City around seven in the morning of April 5. They were thankful that St. Lukes answered their urgent need without questioning how deep their pockets are.
The determined mother, who had previous premature labor experience, had a normal delivery on the first baby, but had to undergo Caesarean with the second one. “Kinaya ko po lahat ng paghihirap, kasi ayaw ko po mamatayan uli ng baby, (I eased all the hardships because I don’t want to experience my babies dying on me again),” Veronica, while crying, told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle Online. Veronica lost her baby girl last 2019, so one can imagine how much of a fighter she is this time around.
Veronica has been already discharged, but her sons Jael and Jayden needed to be incubated a little longer which according to St. Lukes’ nursery, could technically extend a month. And Jhestony, who only earns an average daily income, said that the estimated bill could reach more than P100,000 a day.
More than that, not being able to visit their bundles of joy due to swab test requirements, which could cost them more expenses, is an additional burden for them.
Jhestony, who works as a repacker, and Veronica, who’s a plain housewife are now facing financial challenges to settle the bills on the private hospital that are now taking care of the health of their newborn twin. Good thing, they have a family that is helping them get through the needle's hole.
Whendel Cruz Ramos launched a P20 charity drive to help her cousin Veronica and her family. Whendel and other family members are also doing live selling for a cause. and you can avail of clothes for as low as P20 too.
This family just proved that there will always be ways to get through life's challenges, and that your family will always have your back.