House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

The specialists and staff of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City hold in special place in House Speaker Martin Romualdez's heart. 

Romualdez on Wednesday, June 26, recalled the time that NKTI "saved his life" after he had contracted the dreaded Covid-19. This was during his tenure as majority leader in the 18th Congress, when the world shut down because of the pandemic. 

"Long story short, napagaling ako at dahil po to sa attention and care of NKTI specialists, doctors. And yung attention talaga sa mga pasyente, world class. Sa totoo lang, siguro buhay pa ko dahil sa NKTI. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako talaga sa NKTI," Romualdez said in his speech during the grounbreaking for the new 13-story hemodialysis center within the hospital compound. 

(I recovered thanks to the attention and care of NKTI specialists, doctors. The attention they give to patients is world class. The truth is, I think I'm still alive today because of NKTI. That's why I really thank NKTI.) 

The House leader said it was the NKTI that confirmed he had Covid-19 through testing. "Malungkot na makungkot ako nung gabi na yun kasi talagang umulan, masama pakiramdam ko." 

(I was really sad that night, it was raining hard and I felt under the weather.) 

But it was at that time when NKTI staff assured him, "Hayaan mo yan, congressman, alagaan po natin kayo (Don't worry, congressman, we will take care of you." 

"Noong umuwi nako sa bahay, yung mga taga-NKTI, nagpadala na sila ng nurse, at lahat ng mga gamot. At siya mismo ang nag-aasikaso sakin araw-araw at gabi-gabi," Romualdez said. 

(When I got home, the NKTI sent a nurse and all the medicines I need. The nurse took care of me every day and night.) 

Perhaps the most critical moment came when Romualdez's oxygen level dropped from 95 to 75. 

"Sa totoo lang po, hindi ko alam kasi bumagsak yung oxygen level ko. Di ba dapat 95 or above? Bumagsak sa 75," he said. 

(The truth is, I didn't know but my oxygen level fell. It should be 95 and above, but it fell to 75.) 

"Wala akong worry kasi akala ko, kumbaga sa eskwelahan, 75 passing pa. Pero hindi ko alam, delikado na! Delikado na," noted the Leyte 1st district congressman. 

(I wasn't worried because, in terms of school, 75 is still a passing grade. But I didn't know, it was life-threatening.) 

"Nagpadala ng ano, oxygen tank, basta tinutukan talaga yung aking kalusugan at binabantayan ako araw-araw at gabi-gabi," said the very appreciative official. 

(They sent an oxygen tank and looked after my health day and night.) 

Romualdez, 60, went on to become House Speaker in the current 19th Congress. 

The state-of-the-art hemodialysis center--expected to be operational by 2027--is the newest project under President Marcos’ Legacy Specialty Hospitals initiative.