I am John (not real name), a 23-year old accountant from Quezon City. I would like to share to you my ordeal as a Person Under Investigation PUI during this unfortunate pandemic.

On March 25 I had cough, fever, and experienced shortness of breath which I relayed to my doctor over the phone. She then called up our barangay captain to request him to facilitate bringing me to a hospital, as this is the protocol under the Enhanced Community Quarantine. Initially, she failed to talk to our barangay captain. A barangay tanod took her call and she was referred to a female staff, who also passed her call to another female staff. On her fourth attempt, my doctor was able to finally talk to our barangay captain, who refused her request. He said that no hospital at this time would accept me.

My doctor was insistent that I should be taken to a hospital as I was suffering from pneumonia. When the barangay captain still refused, my doctor asserted that it was the President himself, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, who ordered all barangay captains to assist needy and sick constituents. It was only after my doctor’s frantic plea that the barangay captain told her that he will look for a hospital.

Afterwards, I was brought to a private hospital. Many thoughts were already on my mind. I was suffering from fear and anxiety. Who wouldn’t be under these circumstances? But I calmed myself, trying to replace my negative thoughts with positive ones.

I had a check-up, X-ray, CBC test, and was prescribed medicines. I was also asked to do home quarantine and return the next day for my tuberculosis (TB) test result. Then, I was referred to a government hospital for COVID-19 testing. My bill was P11,000. Thanks to the donated PPEs, I only paid P8,000.

Afterwards, I went to the public hospital where I had the same X-ray as the one I had in the first hospital. Both showed the same results. Since I had difficulty breathing, I did not ask why I should have another X-ray. I just went through the process. No one also asked me if I already had an X-ray done or not.

I then lined up for the COVID-19 testing at around 5 pm. One of the staff members administering the test told me that I should not be tested due to limited testing kits. But I asserted my right to be tested since a doctor already ordered it. Besides, we came to know that testing kits were due to arrive any moment soon.

There was no physical distancing in the hospital, and patients waiting for the testing sat near each other. I was thinking that everybody there were PUIs and PUMs. I also noticed that one of them looked like a dying patient. I felt weaker but was resigned to the fact that I had to endure lining up to know whether or not I will be another statistic in today’s battle against the dreaded virus. There was still that flickering hope in my heart that I wouldn’t be. After almost 4 hours of waiting, I was finally tested.

The bill for the X-ray (which was done for the second time) and the COVID-19 test was Php1,900.00.

The following day, March 26, I returned to the private hospital where I was brought to get my TB test result but was told that this was not available because the hospital had just been disinfected.

I am still waiting for the result of my COVID-19 test.

Reflection on Social Realities

I know that many people are in worse situations than I am. But my experience has made me more aware that the burden of this ECQ is carried more by the poor section of our society rather than the rich and privileged ones.

1. I saw how our government officials will act fast and swiftly when requests are made by people with power and wealth. For one, requests for testing of VIPS are heeded immediately while ordinary people have to line up, and in my case, my doctor also had to plead with the barangay captain to bring me to a hospital.

2. I feel no sense of urgency among our government officials when it comes to providing the necessary health and medical support, especially for those who do not have the economic capacity to deal with this health emergency. I have not seen sufficient distribution of food and economic relief assistance in urban poor communities in our place. No mass testing or distribution of alcohol, sanitizers, and medicines have also been undertaken.

3. The high costs of treatment, even in public hospitals, is a burden to majority of our people, whose foremost concern is their daily food on the table. If they have difficulty getting 3 meals a day, what more would it be for them to buy medicines and pay for hospitalization?

4. The queue for COVID-19 testing mixed all types of patients including PUIs and PUMs. It is possible that I or someone else might have been exposed to COVID-19 in the public hospital as physical distancing was not practiced. More and intensive information drive should be undertaken especially at the community level so that our people will understand and practice proper behavior, processes and procedures that will help us win the fight against COVID-19.

Still, I arm myself with the generosity of my family, friends and colleagues who have helped me in this most trying time. They and the inspiring work of people’s organizations in poor and far-flung communities for genuine social development are my weapon in this battle against COVID-19.#