The Makati Medical Center (MMC) criticizes COVID-19 positive Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III for entering their premises while he was still waiting for the COVID-19 test results.
Sen. Pimentel took a swab test on Friday (March 20) and got the results on March 24 while he was in the hospital to accompany his wife Kathryna who was supposed to give birth. The delivery of the baby was eventually postponed after the doctors learned that he tested positive.
Rumors surfaced that he toured the institution even after being diagnosed with the deadly disease. He denied the claims, “I told the OB even before I told my wife. Then I left her in the hospital. I never went inside the delivery room.” He then clarified, “Since I was already inside then I had to leave. Hence, I had to walk out of the hospital. Walking out po ‘yun not touring.”
“Senator Koko never entered the delivery room of Makati Med. He went with me sa (to) Makati Med yesterday to be admitted, not knowing he was COVID-19 positive yet,” Kathryna defended.
Meanwhile, Makati Medical Center, which announced full capacity on the same day, released an strongly worded official statement slamming the senator’s “irresponsible” and “reckless” actions.
Makati Medical Center has reached its FULL CAPACITY to respond to more COVID-19 cases. #MakatiMedOfficial
Posted by Makati Medical Center on Tuesday, March 24, 2020
“By being in MMC, Senator Pimentel violated his Home Quarantine Protocol, entered the premises of the MMC-DR, thus, unduly exposed healthcare workers to possible infection,” MMC Medical Director Dr. Javier wrote. “As a result, a number of our nurses and doctors may need to be quarantined which will further deplete the dwindling workforce of the hospital.”
“We denounce the irresponsible and reckless action of the senator. He added to the burden of a hospital trying to respond in its most competent and aggressive manner to cope with the daunting challenges of this COVID-19 outbreak,” the statement said.
Senator Aquilino Martin Pimentel III breached MakatiMed hospital infection control protocols. March 24, 2020 -…
Posted by Makati Medical Center on Wednesday, March 25, 2020
“We fervently pray that none of our healthcare staff will acquire the viral infection. As we make this wish, we urge everyone to do his share in quelling the spread of this infection—especially our nation’s duly elected leaders,” Javier ended.
In an interview on a radio show, Dr. Javier revealed that the senator has been exposed to 6 to 8 medical personnel.
As of press, Department of Health (DOH) tallied 636 COVID-19 cases, 38 deaths, and 26 recoveries.
Senator Pimentel is the second to test positive for COVID-19, next to Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.
