A Filipina nurse in the United Kingdom died after contracting coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Amor Padilla Gatinao, 50, worked as a clinical nurse assessor at the National Health Service (NHS) for 18 years.
Gatinao’s husband Mario believed that his wife contracted the disease while on duty at St Charles Hospital in west London.
Mario said his wife was diabetic and had a heart condition.
In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Mario said he dialed the ambulance, however, upon arrival the responders refused to admit her to a hospital and told her to take paracetamol. During that time, his wife’s whole body was in pain.
“She couldn’t sleep. I begged the paramedic to do something, but they left us. I am so very upset,” he said.
“I don’t know why the government did not do more to protect NHS workers, like my wife. She was neglected,” Mario lamented.
Worrying about his wife’s condition, he decided to drive her to St. Mary’s Hospital where she was confined for eight days.
Intubated and in an induced coma since March 30, Gatinao succumbed to COVID-19 on April 9.
Meanwhile, a London ambulance spokesman told Sky News that they sent paramedics to treat the patient, but they did not bring her to hospital.
“We would like to express our sympathy to the family at this very difficult time,” the spokesman said.
Gatinao is the fifth Filipino nurse and the 44th NHS worker who died due to COVID-19, according to Nursing Notes, a medical site that tracks staff fatalities.
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