The University of Bohol (UB) pays tribute to the fallen Boholana nurse who died due to Coronavirus disease (Covid) in the United Kingdom (UK).
In a statement, UB’s president Dr. Victoriano B. Tirol III said the University joins the entire nation in mourning for the demise of a Boholana nurse Estrella Catalan who died of Covid at the age of 52.
Catalan worked as a nurse in a hospital in the European country prior to her death in the early part of February 2021.
“Before her death, Ms. Catalan was with Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) in the UK as an emergency department staff nurse for 18 years. She died in the line of service in helping others fight against the Coronavirus disease,” Tirol said in the statement posted on UB’s official Facebook page on Monday, Feb. 15, 2021.
Furthermore, the UB president hailed Catalan’s professionalism and dedication her profession as a nurse.
“Ms. Catalan graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1989 from this University. The UB Family is very proud of her for being an extra miler, dedicated medical front-liner, and professional health worker. Indeed, she truly lived up to the trinity of virtues of this institution– scholarship, character, and service,” Tirol bared.
Catalan was a native of Candijay. Third district solon Kristine Alexie Tutor described Catalan as a “fallen hero”.
On Feb. 8, 2021, more than a hundred people gathered at the NNUH to pay tribute to Catalan.
Meanwhile, Catalan’s exploits did not go unnoticed by UK’s royal family.
Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge has paid tribute to a “much-loved” nurse who died at the hospital where she had worked for 18 years after contracting Covid-19.
William spoke about Catalan, when he attended a weekly meeting of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) leaders in the east of England by video.
“I imagine that’s hit everyone very hard so I’m very sorry to hear that, and my thoughts from my family are all with all of you who knew her and her family,” he said.