A 24-year-old student leader from La Carlota City, who survived a life-threating heart ailment as a child, has succumbed to dengue, his father said on Friday, Nov.15.
Christian Estama, a student at I-tech College in Bago City, fell ill on Nov. 5 and suffered from on and off fever, his father Angelito Estama, chairman of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee, said.
When Christian was brought to a hospital in La Carlota City on Nov. 9 he was diagnosed with dengue with a platelet count of 34 so he was transferred to a Bacolod hospital, Angelito said
Christian underwent platelet concentrate transfusion at the Bacolod hospital on Nov. 11 to prevent bleeding from his low platelet count but he died hours after.
Christian had congenital heart disease and when he was a baby a doctor warned them that the chance of his survival was very low, Angelito said.
“We were told that Christian had three months to live but he survived and when he was two years old he underwent a bypass operation at the Philippine General Hospital,” Angelito said.
Christian survived his heart ailment for 24 years, but died from complications caused by dengue, his father said.
Christian was a student leader and was bright, his grades averaged 97 to 98 percent, Angelito said.
“It is with deep sadness that we impart the passing of our beloved sports coordinator, Cristian Estama. Cristian was more than just a member of our school publication – he was a dedicated leader, a true team player, and a source of inspiration to all of us”, a post on the Facebook page of the The Igniters, the official student publication of I-tech College, said.
“His passion for sports, tireless work ethic, and positive spirit will never be forgotten,” it added.
The dengue cases in Negros Occidental this year have reached 5,686 with 16 deaths, a Provincial Health Office report released Friday said.
The report said the dengue cases from Jan. 1 to Nov. 9 this year were 326.56 percent more than 1,333 cases in the same period last year.
Bago City still has the highest number of dengue cases this year at 674 followed by San Carlos City with 439, Hinoba-an – 413, Sagay City – 353 and Talisay City – 351, the PHO reported.*