Pinoy doctor dies while aboard ship in the Netherlands

Pinoy doctor dies while aboard ship in the Netherlands
Jofelle Tesorio, Apr 17 2020 https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/04/15/20/pinoy-doctor-dies-of-natural-...

Dr. Rhoneil Ramirez Deveraturda. Photo from his Facebook account
THE HAGUE, The Netherlands (UPDATED) - A Filipino doctor who worked for a ship that services offshore oilfields died in The Netherlands last April 10.

Dr. Rhoneil Ramirez Deveraturda, 54, was aboard Saipem FDS ship docked at the port of Rotterdam at the time of his death, according to a statement released by his company.

His death, Saipem said, "happened due to natural causes as confirmed by the investigations of the Dutch authorities."

"The colleague, who had no symptoms attributable to COVID-19, died unexpectedly during the night. The company expresses its condolences and sincerest sympathy with the family,” it added.

Deveraturda was hired by Global Petroprojects Services (GPS) and was assigned to personnel on Saipem ships, a large Italian-owned drilling and engineering company.

Meanwhile, a report in a Dutch regional website said the ship was quarantined last April 10 after a case of COVID-19 on board. One crew member who contracted the virus was brought to the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam last April 8.

The local report added that 13 of the 77 crew members were placed in isolation.

It also mentioned that the police had investigated the death of the man on board and concluded he died of natural causes. But the report mentioned that the police do not investigate whether the incident was a coronavirus infection, which has to be done by other services.

Saipem, in a statement, said “it had already taken steps to apply the strictest protocols to verify the existence of COVID-19 cases on board the vehicle itself. Only one crew member was disembarked and transferred to isolation after he was confirmed positive.”

The Philippine Embassy in The Hague said it is extending assistance to Deveraturda's next-of-kin.

“Since then, our consular and ATN (Assistance to Nationals) officers have been in regular contact with the family, and employer, among others, as part of efforts in extending assistance to the next-of-kin of the deceased,” Philippine ambassador to the Netherlands Jaime Victor Ledda said in an email.

On the possible COVID-19 infection, Ledda said medical tests were conducted upon the request of the family.

“The embassy is awaiting the final report of the results, including the issuance of the death certificate,” Ledda said.

Dr. Deveraturda was a graduate of medicine (Batch 1990) from Our Lady of Fatima University.