Zamboanga Task Force Covid-19 to the rescue after sick man appeals for help

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The local task force on Covid-19 or novel coronavirus has immediately responded to an emergency after a man posted a video on Monday appealing for help to bring him to hospital on suspicion he has contracted the deadly respiratory disease.

Ahmad Hassan Munap, who resides in Barangay Santa Catalina, said he went to seek help with the local barangay leaders, but he was only dropped near the Zamboanga City Medical Center.

In his 2-minute appeal, Munap said: “Pumunta po ako sa barangay namin at naghanap ng medic, ako po ay fasting pa, nakakaramdam po ako kasi ng simtomas po ng pesteng virus na ito. Pero hindi po ako inasikaso doon, hinatid po ako hanggang labas pero malayo pa at dalawang checkpoint po ang pagitan, pero taga-barangay rin naman po ako.”

Despite having difficulty in breathing and pausing several times to cough, Munap continued: “Nakakalungkot mang isipin pero umuwi na lang ako ulit, sana hindi na lang ako kunin, pero ang kinakatakutan ko lang dito ay kung totoo man akong natamaan…ikinakatakot ko lang dito yun mga bata dito sa amin po at baka makahawa ako. Sana maaksyunan itong barangay dito sa amin, kilala nila ako.”

He also appealed to those who will watch the video posted on Facebook to share it so that authorities can take action on his complaints.

“Sana ipasa po ninyo itong video sana matauhan yun mga taong nangangailangan kung ako ay makakahawa dito sa Santa Catalina wala na silang magagawa kung kakalat pa itong sakit na ito at saka sila matatakot. Sana magbigay aral po ito sa bawat tao dito sa amin pati na rin sa lahat, stay home po, stay safe, please pray po natin yun mga nakakarandam ng ganitong sakit,” he said, ending the video with a prayer.

The Task Force Covid-19, which is chaired by Mayor Beng Climaco, quickly ordered the barangay officials to find Munap so he can be brought immediately to the hospital and undergo laboratory tests and provide him the needed medical care.

Last month, a sickly old man living alone in Barangay Santa Maria was also rescued by the Task Force Covid0-19 and brought him to hospital after neighbors sought help from the local government.

The septuagenarian was initially aided by a nurse assigned at the Barangay Rural Health Center on April 21 after receiving information about the man also suffering from emphysema.

The Task Force Covid-19 which received the report immediately coordinated with the City Health Office and the Zamboanga City Medical Center and brought the patient to hospital. Neighbors were not able to help the old man for fear he could be infected with the novel coronavirus, or Covid-19. (Zamboanga Post)

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