The Department of Health (DOH) has initiated official inquiries with authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Mexico to gather details on the health condition of Mexican actor Manuel Masalva, who is currently in a medically induced coma after contracting an aggressive bacterial infection.
Masalva, 34, reportedly traveled to the Philippines before heading to Dubai on March 18. According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, he began experiencing severe abdominal pain days after his arrival and was later hospitalized. Emergency surgery was performed on March 26, and the following day, the infection had spread to his lungs, prompting doctors to place him in a coma for treatment.
DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo confirmed that they are coordinating with counterparts abroad.
“Officially, nagtanong na kami doon sa dalawang bansa na pwedeng pagkuhanan ng impormasyon. Una, nagtanong kami doon sa UAE sa Dubai kung meron bang notification na sinasabi under international health regulations,” Domingo said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.
He added, “Nagtanong rin kami d’on sa kabila naman pwedeng panggalingan ng balita, sa Mexico, kasi isa siyang Mexican national. So ‘yun kasi ‘yung official channels na makukuha natin.”
So far, no official responses have been received from the two countries. But Domingo emphasized that the absence of alerts from the UAE and Mexico suggests the case may not be alarming from a public health standpoint.
“Ang interpretation ko do’n is the fact na ‘yung UAE saka Mexico ay hindi naga-alerto, ibig sabihin na from their governments’ perspective, hindi rin ito kabaha-bahala,” he explained.
Domingo also mentioned that the DOH had asked local hospitals and government units if the actor had been admitted or reported locally, but there had been no confirmations.
While Masalva’s case has raised concerns online, the health official clarified that a medically induced coma is a standard medical procedure used to aid recovery.
“‘Yung medically induced coma, hindi po ‘yan nakakatakot. Ibig sabihin [niyan], ‘yung doktor mismo, na may pahintulot nung pasyente o nung kanyang pamilya, ang nagsabi na kailangan nating i-sedate, kailangan nating patulugin ‘yung pasyente,” he said.
The DOH urges the public not to panic and reminds everyone to take basic precautions like avoiding raw seafood and refraining from swimming in natural waters if they have open wounds.
Domingo added that Masalva could have had an underlying health condition or possibly contracted the infection in another location outside the Philippines.
