Wilma A Principe
September 2023
Wilma A
Principe
,
RN
5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army
Office of the Army Chief Nurse, Philippine Army
Taguig City
Philippines

 

 

 

Ms. Principe was instrumental in his speedy recovery. From the moment he was interviewed for assessment and case finding, screening, and referral, and up to the present, Ms. Principe’s untiring effort and dedication to her duty were seen and appreciated by the patient and her colleagues.
Our patient has been suffering from a persistent cough since November 2018. Despite his condition, he endured his physical state. Still, he joined his comrades in the everyday lives of a soldier, which comprised numerous hardships, risks for safety, countless tiring hours of walking, climbing, running, and enduring extremes of weather whenever duty calls. But one day in February 2018, he could no longer function well, for he was already coughing out blood. The following day, he asked his immediate superior if he could seek professional medical help to address his condition. He went straight to Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz Station Hospital for consultation and treatment. He was seen by the healthcare team of this institution, and his admitting nurse was Ms. Wilma A Principe, RN. As a TB DOTS nurse, Ms. Principe was instrumental in his speedy recovery. From the moment he was interviewed for assessment and case finding, screening, and referral, and up to the present, Ms. Principe’s untiring effort and dedication to her duty were seen and appreciated by the patient and her colleagues. She assisted the patient with his daily activities when he was too weak. When he was coughing out blood and was very ill, she rendered nursing care competently and made sure that she and other nurses would help alleviate his suffering. She also educated the patient and other patients about PTB, management, and treatment to ensure their full compliance. Since TB treatment takes six months to ensure that it will be completed and the patient will not have a relapse case, Ms. Principe carefully monitors the patient’s progress. Moreover, she ensured that the patient would always attend to his referral and follow-up schedule at Ilagan Rural Health Unit to replenish his medications and submit his sputum specimen and chest X-rays for routine evaluation. The patient has been compliant with his treatment for almost three months, and his health has significantly improved. Furthermore, the patient will complete his treatment without fail with the impressive dedication of Ms. Principe’s nursing care, comprehensive health education, and consistent collaboration with the healthcare team/TB-DOTS/RHU. He will soon be fully treated and ready to be integrated into the community within three months. The patient will soon resume his usual activities of caring for his family and serving and protecting his beloved country.