Palace extends sympathies to Doctor Fe del Mundo’s kin

Malacañang on Sunday extended its sympathies to the loved ones of Dr. Fe del Mundo, the Grand Dame of Philippine Pediatrics, following her death Saturday. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said many Filipinos felt sad upon learning of the passage of Del Mundo, who died due to a heart condition at age 99.
“Ine-extend natin ang pakikiramay sa naiwan ni Dra. Fe del Mundo," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. Del Mundo's remains were brought to the Dr. Fe del Mundo Medical Center in Banaue in Quezon City, and will taken to Sto. Domingo Church on Wednesday, and will be buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani on Thursday. Del Mundo is referred to as the first woman admitted as a student of the Harvard Medical School, and the country's first female national scientist. She also founded the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines, even as she earned international recognition for her pioneering work in pediatrics. In 1977, she was conferred the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. She was awarded the rank and title of National Scientist of the Philippines in 1980. In 2010, she was conferred the Order of Lakandula. Also, Del Mundo was noted for her pioneering work on infectious diseases in Philippine communities. She was credited for authoring the "Textbook of Pediatrics," a fundamental medical text used in Philippine medical schools. — LBG, GMA News