Filipino research nurse in UK succumbs to COVID-19, brother mourns his passing

Filipino research nurse Ken Lambatan from St. George's Hospital in the United Kingdom succumbed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a report on The Sun UK.

The report said the 34-year-old nurse died after developing hypercoagulation — a condition that causes the blood to clot more easily than normal — after contracting COVID-19.

St. George Hospital's Chief Executive Jacqueline Totterdell described Ken as a "true gem" who is well-known among his colleagues and patients.

"Everyone at St. George’s is deeply saddened by the death of Ken, one of our cardiac research nurses," she said.

"Ken was very popular with staff, and described as a ‘true gem’ by those that knew him well. "

"He was dedicated to his role as a research nurse here at St George’s, and was as popular with his patients as he was with colleagues. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues at this time," Totterdell said, according to the report.

The Sun's report said the news was reported after UK's Health Secretary announced that families of NHS heroes who died of COVID-19 will get £60,000 of cash.

'My brother, my hero'

His brother Ezel said the last time his Kuya Ken and their mother talked was through a video call, when he told her that he will be deployed as one of the frontliners.

According to Ezel, his brother's job involved laboratory work and they had a work-from-home arrangement, but he was assigned to become as a frontliner to work as a bed manager at the hospital.

Three weeks ago, Ken then called his mother and his sister to let them know that he was sick. On his first week as a frontliner, he developed a fever then a cough. Little did they know that it would be the last time that they would hear from him.

Ten days ago, they received a call from Ken's closest friends letting them know that his Kuya Ken was intubated and in the ICU.

"We we’re hopeful. We prayed hard. His vitals were stable. Yet we believed that Faith can move mountains. For 10 days, he fought the greatest battle we could ever imagined. It was totally heartbreaking to hear your mother cry pleading to God for my brother’s life. The rest is God’s plan," Ezel wrote on Facebook.

According to Ezel, Ken was given a swab test but the results haven't come out yet. Ken's colleagues and doctors however were certain that he died of COVID-19.

On Facebook, Ezel mourned the death of his brother, whom he calls his hero.

According to Ezel, Ken always wanted to pursue BS Biology to become a doctor, but their mother wanted him to become a nurse.

Ken obeyed their mom and even secured a 2-year-scholarship. Ezel watched how his brother learned to love his profession as a nurse.

Ezel said his brother worked at provincial hospital Northern Mindanao Medical Center for eight years. He knew Ken would be exhausted at times but he never showed it to them.

Ezel recalled the day Ken found out that he was going to London to work: "I was here with him at home when he was shouting at the top of his lungs. Before he left, he was jamming with us during our Year-End / New Years’ Party together with my childhood neighbors," he narrated.

Even when his brother was in London, Ezel relied on Ken for valuable pieces of advice on career, life and everything in between.

"I lost count on the times you saved me from wrong choices," he wrote.

Ezel said he was feeling "mixed emotions" sharing a piece of his brother's wonderful life to the world.

"He joins the thousands of Medical frontliners who sacrificed their lives in the name of one of the most noble professions in the world. Please remember them and Kuya in your prayers."

He said he took him almost a lifetime to answer the question "Who is your hero?" and now he has an answer that is his brother Ken is his hero.

"My name is Ezel and my hero is an ordinary man with big dreams. He doesn’t wear any capes or have a superpower, but he has touched lives more than any hero can."

"His name is Kenneth R Lambatan. A name to be remembered until eternity. I love you very much, Kuya Ken. I wish you had more time to hear me say this. You are in safe haven now. My brother, My hero," he ended his note. 

According to The Sun UK, the country has over 150,000 cases recorded and more than 21,000 deaths. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News