A Filipino resident in the UAE who contracted the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) shared that the virus almost took his life, but was fortunately given a second chance to live thanks to the care and concern provided by medical frontliners of the country.
Ruffy Niedo, a Dubai-based engineer who has been living in the country for over 12 years, shared to The Filipino Times that what he initially thought was a simple case of dry cough turned out to already be a critical case of COVID-19.
“Noong April 14 po, inubo po ako na parang kaiba kaya kinabukasan April 15 nang umaga papatest lang po sana ako. Nagawa ko pang i-drive ang sarili ko papuntang ospital,” said Niedo.
It was only then when he was informed that he was already in a critical state.
“Akala ko natutuyo lang lalamunan ko. Nandun na po nagsimula na hindi ako makahinga. Mararanasan mo ang hirap sa tanang buhay mo. Mas pipiliin mo pang mamatay kesa maghirap ka,” recalled Niedo who at that time had to use a ventilator to aid his respiratory system as it was already failing.
“Naging kritikal ang buhay ko. Halos isang linggo daw po akong vegetative state sabi ng mga doktor. Ganun po pala katindi itong coronavirus na ito,” added Niedo.
When asked about how he contracted the virus, the Satwa resident said that he wasn’t sure where he got the disease as he practiced safety and social distancing measures all the time. “Di ko lubos maisip na mahahawaan ako. Nung nagimpose ng sanitation drive, ganoon din kami sa work ko,” said Niedo who furthered that thankfully all of his flatmates tested negative for the virus.
At present, Niedo is currently on his road to recovery at a hospital in Dubai as he extends his gratitude to the UAE’s commitment to curing those who have been afflicted by the disease.
“Salamat po sa DHA (Dubai Health Authority) through Rashid Hospital kung saan ako po’y nagpapalakas sa ngayon. Maayos naman po ang pasilidad at pag respond nila. Nagpapasalamat po ako nang buong-buo sa mga frontliners nila dito at sa staff. Maayos at walang kapantay ang pagse-serbisyo ng Rashid Hospital at ng bansang UAE sa lahat ng naninirahan dito,” said Niedo.
The OFW then urged fellow Filipinos and expat residents to strictly follow the UAE’s measures to contain the virus, saying that it will help them steer clear of the deadly disease.
“Namamatay po talaga ang virus na ito. Ako ang saksing buhay kung paano ang virus na ito kumikitil ng buhay ng tao. Mag-ingat po tayo at huwag magpapahawa dahil traydor itong corona, lalo na kagaya ng mga asymptomatic hindi man lang nagpapakita nang senyales,” said Niedo.
