MAKATI Medical Center on Wednesday denounced Sen. Koko Pimentel for breaching the strict protocols of his home quarantine by entering the hospital premises to accompany his pregnant wife while he was awaiting results of his Covid-19 tests.
In a strongly worded statement posted on Facebook, the premier hospital said that by his act, Pimentel “unduly exposed health-care workers to possible infection.” This comes at a bad time because the hospital is already under heavy strain to care for Covid-19 patients, and the senator’s presence at the hospital meant more nurses and doctors have to be quarantined, “which will further deplete the dwindling work-force of the hospital.”
Pimentel, who on Wednesday morning disclosed he received confirmatory tests that he had tested positive for Covid-19, had claimed he was on quarantine since feeling some mild flu symptoms on March 14, three days after the Senate adjourned. However, he insisted he only learned of his test results late Tuesday evening (March 24) when he was already at MMC.
The hospital director Dr. Saturnino Javier, did not accept this excuse. Pimentel was under home quarantine and should not have left his residence, Javier told CNN Philippines.
Pimentel pleaded guilty and apologized Wednesday night for joining his pregnant wife as she was scheduled to give birth by caesarian section.
“I am very sorry,” Pimentel said in an interview with CNN Phillippines, claiming that “this happened when I still did not know I was positive for Covid. I only got the news at 9 p.m.”
Pimentel added, “My movement was deemed essential” as his wife was due for labor. “My wife was giving birth, what am I to do?”
He pleaded for understanding, saying, “please do not discriminate against my wife.”
He said he called the OB (obstetrician) and left the hospital when told to leave. I really did not know I was positive…I was not coughing.”
As of now, he said, “[I am already] de facto isolated, that is the situation.”
The senator added, “I appeal to Makati Med to take care of my wife. I also seek the understanding of Makati Med.”
Image credits: AP/Bullit Marquez