A pregnant nurse continues to serve in the ICU of a private Parañaque hospital

Despite the danger of getting infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a pregnant nurse continued to serve in the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Parañaque City.

On "24 Oras Weekend" Sunday, Vonne Aquino shared the story of Khristine Caryl Decipulo, a nurse stationed in the ICU. She is currently 4 months pregnant still Khristine still chooses to go to work to fulfill her duty as a medical worker.

Although she is not assigned to accommodate patients who are suspected with COVID-19, she is aware that serving in the hospital poses quite the risk— not just for herself but also for the child she is carrying.

Khristine said she wanted to serve because she knows that the number of frontliners are starting to deplete.

"Unti-unting nauubos mga nurses natin, mga frontliners natin kasi isa-isa silang nagkakasakit. Parang ako naman, parang kaya ko pa naman, eh bakit hindi ako tumulong pa?" she said.

Khristine said she pledged to help people at times like this during her oath taking as a nurse. She feels this her true calling.

"May sinumpaan kasing tungkulin. Nag-pledge tayo na tutulong tayo 'di ba noong oath taking, kaya parang alam mo 'yung tawag ng tungkulin, calling talaga ang pagiging nurse," she said.

The nurse said she takes care of herself by drinking vitamins and supplements.

Khristine has chosen to live away from her 3-year-old child and other family members to spare them the risk of getting infected with COVID-19.

She said there are times she gets scared that she might get infected with the virus, but she knows the patients need her now more than ever.

"Dumadating din 'yung parang hala nakakatakot baka kami din mahawaan ganyan pero 'yung nagdadrive talaga, 'yung motivation na lang namin para...hindi eh, nurse kami. Kailangan nating gawin ito. Kailangan ng pasyente ng mag-aalaga. Kung pati kami matatakot sino pa ang gagawa?"

Khristine said she is thankful to those who donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that help her in protecting herself and her baby while she's on duty.

"Sobrang nakakataba ng puso, kasi alam mo 'yun ma’am parang sa talambuhay naming mga nurse parang ngayon lang kaming na-appreciate kung kailan nagkaroon ng COVID outbreak. Ngayon lang kami napansin."

Khristine also took the chance to ask for more benefits and a hazard pay for nurses in the private sector.

"'Pag private sector kasi syempre 'yung ano, wala kaming mga hazard pay ganyan. 'Yung benefits namin hindi gan'un kasing katulad sa government kaya sana ipantay pantay na lang lahat kasi pare-parehas naman kaming mga nurse."

Twelve doctors have died due to COVID-19, a private hospitals group has said.

On Sunday, the COVID-19 cases in the Philippines rose to 1,418, according to the Department of Health (DOH). — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News