I HAVE read the statement of the Makati Medical Center regarding the breach of their safety protocols re covid-19. The reason why I went to MMC in the evening of March 24, 2020, was to accompany my pregnant wife to the hospital for a scheduled delivery by cesarian section the following morning. I apologize to MMC for being in their hospital in the evening of March 24, 2020 which they deemed to be a breach of their safety/containment protocols.
We arrived in MMC at around 6-7 pm of March 24, 2020. RITM called me at 9 pm of March 24, 2020 to inform me of the positive covid result. I was already inside the hospital when I got the information. I immediately informed the OB-gyne doctor assisting my wife about the result and I then left the hospital premises. (I was not coughing and I didn’t have a fever the short time I was in the MMC premises and was wearing face mask and gloves.)
My wife is still under the care of MMC. I ask that they take care of her and the baby still inside her tummy even when they say that I have breached their protocols. I never intended to breach any protocol but I realize now that my presence in MMC unnecessarily caused additional anguish and concern to the courageous frontline health workers we all depend on. I was simply there to be with my wife during the birth of our daughter.
No doctor ordered my Covid testing. It was my own initiative, as an expectant father, after learning that my other colleagues had themselves tested and out of precaution because I was living with a pregnant wife who was nearing the time of childbirth. (Never did I have persistent cough and persistent fever.)
Once again, I would like to sincerely and profoundly apologize to the management and staff of the Makati Medical Center for this unfortunate incident. I never intended to do any harm to anyone.
I shall be open to any communication the MMC would want to have with me about this. I just ask for everyone’s understanding and compassion and allow me first to recover from Covid-19. Thank you. --Aquilino Martin Pimentel III, Senator
