By Frances Pio
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Ginawaran ng prestihiyosong George Cross award sa United Kingdom nitong Miyerkules, Hulyo 13, ang Filipino nurse na unang nag-inject ng COVID-19 vaccine dose sa mundo.
Si May Parsons ang unang nurse na nag-bigay ng bakuna laban sa Covid-19 noong Disyembre 8, 2020.
Ipinagkaloob ni Queen Elizabeth II at Prince Charles ng UK ang parangal sa National Health Service (NHS) sa Windsor Castle.
Tumanggap si Parsons, kasama ang Chief Executive ng NHS na si Amanda Pritchard, ng prestihiyosong parangal sa ngalan ng 1.5 milyong kawani na nagtatrabaho para sa NHS sa England.
“I’m deeply honoured to represent the wonderful and dedicated people within the NHS and Social Care who have shown up everyday to care for our people and communities despite the challenges and sacrifices we’ve had to take posed by the Covid-19 Pandemic,” sinabi ni Parsons.
“We remember our fallen colleagues who have given the ultimate sacrifice and I cannot be more proud of our achievements as a whole. The George Cross is a fitting tribute as we continue to fulfill our pledge to care and to serve our communities,” dagdag pa niya.
Ang George Cross ay ang pinakamataas na parangal na ipinagkakaloob sa sibilyan ng gobyerno ng Britanya.