Amid the world’s on-going fight against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), frontline healthcare workers and medical professionals continue to sacrifice their lives in order to provide diagnosis, treatment, and care for COVID-19 patients.
On Thursday, March 26, the Philippines Pediatric Society President Salvacion “Sally” R. Gatchalian, M.D. has died after catching the disease, her sister television host Ruby Rodriguez announced.
Gatchalian served as the Assistant Director of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine at the Department of Health and was also the President of the International Society of Tropical Paediatrics of the Philippines. Previously, she was the President of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines.
The 67-year-old pediatric infectious diseases expert was one of the leading Filipino pediatricians whose advocacies include strong implementation of immunizations among children and tobacco control.
Her sister, Rodriguez, shared her farewell message for her sister on Instagram.
“We will only remember you with happy memories, laughing and sleeping, your johnson outfits and all, how u love bling bling, your Kuaff hair everday, your K-drama addiction ( u got me hooked up too) I will make u kwento what I have seen last, our Sunday lunches, our “bonding trips” that you and I only do (other siblings kasi nasa US) lots of happy and fond memories,” Rodriguez said in a post.
“I love you so much my big sister, say hi to Mom Dad and Manong Robert. Be at peace, do not worry about us anymore. Have fun in heaven! Love you so much,” Rodriguez said as she ended her message.
Among the pediatrician’s friends and colleagues who also paid tribute to her works and contribution were infectious disease specialist Dr. Edsel Salvana and professor of Pediatrics Dr. Kristy Murray.
In a post by Salvana, he remembered Gatchalian as “a mentor, friend and cheerleader for us [Infectious Disease] specialists,” while Murray recalled that Gatchalian was “a champion for children’s health.”
As of today, Gatchalian is the 9th Filipino doctor to pass away from the pandemic. The Department of Health also reported 272 new COVID-19 cases, making the country’s total to 1,075 cases.
