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P3M hospital bill prevents return of OFW in Jeddah – DFA

Buena Bernal

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P3M hospital bill prevents return of OFW in Jeddah – DFA
(UPDATED) The Department of Foreign Affair has advised Restituto Galigao's family 'to seek assistance from charitable institutions or individuals'

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Jeddah has over P3 million in hospital bills, which continue to balloon each day and prevent his discharge and eventual repatriation, the foreign affairs department said.

He remains in the hospital, prompting civil society organization Blas F Ople Center on Monday, June 8, to appeal anew for aid in behalf of the worker.

In an April 13 letter sent to Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, a copy of which was provided to Rappler, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said migrant worker Restituto Galigao continues to be confined at the Dr Erfan and Bagedo General Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Philippine government is negotiating a discounted bill. 

Still, the hospital’s “stricter” new management may be unable to provide a “substantial discount.”

Galigao suffered a cardiac arrest at a friend’s house and was admitted to the Jeddah hospital last November.

Galigao “did not regain his full brain function and mental capacity…. Now, he is demented but fully conscious, bed-ridden with 4 limbs contractures in spite of regular physiotherapy,” an undated hospital report read.

A fellow OFW, Merralyn Amatorio, told Rappler that Galigao was in and out of comatose. Amatorio helped bring Galigao to the hospital, where she also worked as a nurse. (READ: Filipino nurse in Saudi seeks gov’t help for OFW in coma)

Amatorio arrived in the Philippines last March 16 and, with the assistance of pro-OFW advocacy group Filipino Lifeline Incorporated, immediately sought help from government officials, including Pimentel.

Every day, Galigao’s bill is up by another 1,500 Saudi Riyals (P17,690). As of March 24, he had a standing debt of 222,314.45 Saudi Riyals (P2.62 million). Given the estimated increase, his bill is now at over 267,314.45 Saudi Riyals (P3.15 million).

The Galigao family has been informed of the unpaid medical expenses.

But the DFA said it had “followed up their family’s efforts in raising the needed amount, and advised them to seek assistance from charitable institutions or individuals, in case this has not been done yet.”

Previous bill of another Filipino

Exacerbating the plight of the Galigao family is the uncollected payment for the bill of another Filipino discharged from Dr Erfan and Bagedo General Hospital in July 2014.

The unsettled payment puts the DFA’s request for discounted rates for Galigao at risk.

“The Medical Collections Director also mentioned that…they have yet to collect the remaining balance of a certain Mr. Edgar S. Pepito’s hospital bill in the amount of SAR 47,475.21, which the Consulate promised to settle,” wrote the DFA.

The Consul General of the Philippine consulate in Jeddah was reminded of the amount owed last March 19.

Still, the DFA “instructed the consulate to negotiate further with the hospital to lower the hospital bills” of Galigao.

“The consulate may explore the possibility of OFW Galigao’s continued stay in the hospital pending his repatriation, without incurring additional hospital bills, for humanitarian consideration,” it added. 

Some 1.27 million Filipinos are temporarily working or permanently residing in Saudi Arabia.

The Philippines is a known labor-sending country, with OFWs’ remittances providing a considerable boost to the Philippine economy.

While there are over P10.5 million Filipinos abroad, the present administration of President Benigno Aquino III envisions “a government that creates jobs at home so that working abroad will be a choice rather than a necessity.” – Rappler.com

 

*1 Saudi Riyal = P11.79

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