By JOSEPH PEDRAJAS
A cardiology “pillar” at the Philippine Heart Center working on the frontline in the battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) died, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) said Tuesday morning.
In a Facebook statement, the PHA said, “it is with profound sadness that we announce the loss of one of the great pillars of Cardiology, PHA Past President Dr. Raul Diaz Jara. He was a great father, teacher, mentor, poet, author, singer, colleague, friend.”
The PHA said “the general knowledge is that he succumbed to COVID and it is suspected he got it from a patient who denied travel history.”
However, it clarified that, they are “not privy to the details of his confinement and course of illness” and “best to contact the director of Philippine Heart Center (PHC).”
PHC medical director Dr. Joel Abanilla said in an ABS-CBN News report that Jara tested positive for COVID-19.
“We deeply mourn for your loss but we want this more to be a celebration of your life. Philippine Cardiology will not be the same without you,” PHA added in the statement.
Jara is the latest doctor who died in fight against the COVID-19.
Three other doctors who worked on the frontlines already succumbed to the disease, according to the Department of Health on Monday.
In another statement posted on PHA Facebook page which appeared to be from Jara’s family, it said, “Papa is a tower of strength and leadership… He knew the extensive battle he was facing and he kept on fighting.”
The family said it is “grateful for Philippine Heart Center’s doctors, nurses and staff who took care of him and have gone way and beyond their call of duty…”
Jara’s son, Paolo, is calling for donations of personal protective equipment for medical workers in the country.
He is also calling for the building of “dedicated site” for COVID-19 and “organize mass testing.”