UAE | General
Paralysed Filipina unwanted and alone in hospital
A paralysed 29-year-old Filipina has been stranded at Rashid Hospital for seven months, unable to go home because no one in the Philippines is willing to take her case.
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:04 August 1, 2008
- Baikan has been at Rashid Hospital since December 31, 2007.
- Image Credit: Nina Muslim/Gulf News
Dubai: A paralysed 29-year-old Filipina has been stranded at Rashid Hospital for seven months, unable to go home because no one in the Philippines is willing to take her case.
Baikan Mousa, who worked as cleaner in the UAE on a visit visa, was hit by a car while she was trying to cross the road near the Clock Tower in Deira with her friends on New Year's Eve. The driver sped off. She was brought to Rashid Hospital at 10:25pm on December 31, 2007, and hasn't left since. Injuries to her head, back and pelvis, have left her paralysed from the waist down. Nurses caring for her told Gulf News she has been alone for the past six months.
"Her friends came and dropped off her family albums in January, and then no more. They left her," said Maria Felicia de la Cruz, one of the nurses. "We're her friends now," added another.
Baikan, who hails from Maguindanao, cannot breathe or eat on her own, and is dependent on tubes to do these basic functions. Despite her paralysis, she is conscious and aware of her surroundings. She communicates mainly by blinking her eyes.
De la Cruz said it was unlikely Baikan would return home soon as Baikan's injuries were too extensive.
A few people have tried to help her, including the charitable organisation Valley of Love and the Philippine Consulate, but their efforts have yielded few results so far. Benito Valeriano, Philippine Consul-General, told Gulf News repatriating Baikan was not a problem; however, her care was.
"Manila managed to contact her family but they are in dire straits and said they don't have the money to support her. They're very poor," he said.
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