ODM Communications Director Philip Etale on Friday, August 27, revealed how a call from Orange Democratic Movement Leader, Raila Odinga, helped him survive the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
In an interview with KTN News, Etale, who had contracted the Covid-19 virus for the first time in May, revealed that he had given up all hope as the debilitating virus had overwhelmed him, and a call from Raila helped him fight on.
Etale narrated how the ODM leader called him from MP Shah Hospital in Parklands, Nairobi County, where he had been admitted, offering words of encouragement that helped him gather strength to fight for his life.
"My boss, ODM leader Raila Odinga, called me and told me that this is my life and I have to fight for it if I wanted to survive it. I took his words and fought," narrated Etale.
The communication director narrated his horror in fighting to stay alive after being admitted to the hospital.
"I could see so many things being put on my body, stomach, my back and all being interconnected and I was helpless and terrified," narrated Etakle.
Etale recounted his near-death experience at the hospital, where he was put on 15 litres of oxygen, and that at one time, he coughed and accidentally unplugged the oxygen cable from the socket.
"I was put on 15 litres of oxygen. I was coughing so badly and it was non-stop. While coughing, I accidentally unplugged the oxygen cable from the socket. I thought that was my end. I saw darkness, my whole body was hot, I called for help but there was no response. I tried screaming and no one could hear me, " recounted Etale, about his horrific ordeal.
A cleaner who worked at the hospital happened to walk into the ICU room Etale had been lying in and helped him plug in the oxygen back, which he pointed at as he couldn’t speak at the time.
Etale noted how lucky he was to survive the ordeal as others who had been in the ICU with him had succumbed.
"For the five days I was in ICU, and two days after I left the ICU, a nurse came and told me that four of the patients who had been in the ICU with me had succumbed and that I should feel so lucky to be alive." rejoiced a thankful Etale.
Etale advised Kenyans who are yet to take the vaccine to get it as it could save their lives, and urged people to trust in the safety of the vaccine.
"There are so many myths about the vaccine, ignore them, take the jab," advised the former Royal Media Services employee.
