De Lima discharged from hospital, in stable condition

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima's personal physicians have confirmed that the Senator is now doing well and has been discharged from the Manila Doctor's Hospital earlier today, April 27, after completing several tests during her three-day medical furlough.

Dr. Dante Morales and Dr. Errol Rhett Santelices said the result of De Lima's Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (BMRI) imaging and CT angiography showed no evidence of stroke (acute infarct or hemorrhage). The medical team who attended her case said De Lima experienced episodes of migraine headaches triggered by hot environment, poor ventilation and noise. This was associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and reactive hypertension.

Vertigo is an existing, long-standing health condition of the senator. The other diagnostic tests conducted on the brain, eyes, ears, nerves, heart, kidneys, thyroid, among others, reveal no serious adverse findings.

To ensure the non-recurrence of the above health condition, one of the recommendations of her medical team is to increase ventilation in her detention quarters which is poorly ventilated and absorbs the summer heat. It was also recommended that if the complaints recur, more tests should be done. There are tests that will be repeated after one week, after one month, after 6 months, and after one year.

It may be recalled that De Lima was confined at the Manila Doctors Hospital for three days, from April 24-27, to undergo medical examination as recommended by her on-call personal physician, Dr. Meophilia G. Santos-Cao, to rule out "cerebrovascular accident."

Though she has already been discharged from the hospital, the medical team stressed that De Lima's blood pressure and sugar level must be regularly monitored. She was also advised to avoid stress.

"But how can I avoid stress, especially during these very trying times? Stress practically defines my adult life as a public servant," De Lima laughingly remarked.

The lady Senator from Bicol expressed her gratitude for all the prayers and messages she has received while she was confined in the hospital.

Maraming maraming salamat po sa lahat ng nagdasal, tumulong, umasikaso at nagpaabot ng kanilang mensahe ng pag-aalala. From the PNP authorities led by Brig. Gen. Arthur Bisnar, Director, PNP-Headquarters Support Service (HSS), for their professionalism and sincerity in complying with the court order on my immediate furlough; to my attending physicians, nurses and staffs of Manila Doctors Hospital; and to all those who offered prayers for my safety and recovery, taos-puso po akong nagpasasalamat sa inyong lahat," De Lima said.