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Hospital waives half of ailing Filipina’s bill

However, despite the reduction, Arlene might still not be discharged from the hospital as the complete bill would have to be paid for that.

Says her mother Nora, “Till date, the bill accrued is Dh50,000 which is increasing day by day. Even after the reduction, I will still have to raise another Dh30,000, which is impossible because I have no means of income.”

An official from the hospital said, “The exact amount of reduction in the bill can only be decided upon discharge. However, it is advisable that she flies back to her home country. We have already told her mother that government hospitals here are not willing to take patients from private hospitals; therefore, she should be taken.”

Nora also said that she had contacted the Philippines Consulate in Dubai for help, but had got no positive response so far.

“Officials from the consulate had visited Arlene after I met them on February 14 but after that, I have not heard from them,” said Nora.

However, an official from the Philippines Consulate, Consul Vincente Bandilo, said different options were available in such cases, including paying off the entire bills or even seeking financial help. “We will look into the matter,” he promised.

Arlene suddenly collapsed on January 22 entering a comatose state. Doctors at a local hospital diagnosed her as suffering from aneurysm (brain haemorrhage).

Though Arlene has regained consciousness, she has turned semi-paraplegic (paralytic) and may only recover in due course of time through physiotherapy, say doctors.

For Nora, who has left her country and her three other children to be with her ailing daughter, the cost of treatment is unaffordable. Arlene’s sponsor has already paid Dh175,000 towards the treatment and is also ready to pay for her ticket back home.

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