Paralysed woman stranded in Sharjah hospital

Sharjah: Hospital officials have appealed for members of the public to donate money so that an elderly, hospitalised woman can return home.

Rinoka, a 52-year-old Sri Lankan woman, was found in an unconscious state by Sharjah police. She was taken to Al Kuwait hospital and diagnosed with severe health problems that have left her paralysed.

It was discovered that Rinoka previously worked as a maid for a family in Sharjah.

"The woman is too old and sick to work as a domestic helper. She is paralysed now and needs long-term care," an official from the hospital said.

The official said the only way Rinoka can travel back to her native Sri Lanka is by paying Dh23,000 for a ticket that grants her access to a bed on the aircraft.

"We have discovered that her daughter works as a maid for a family in Dubai. She has only visited her mother once," he said.

The official said it had taken two months to identify Rinoka's sponsor.

"We asked the sponsor why he had not searched for her all that time and if there was an absconding case against Rinoka, but he said there was not," the official said.

The hospital has contacted the Sri Lankan consulate in Dubai about the situation.

"The consulate is asking for a detailed letter about Rinoka's case. We are in the process of readying that letter," the official said.

He added that Rinoka needed to return home to be with her family as soon as possible.

"Rinoka deeply wishes to travel to her country. She told us she wanted to be home as she is afraid to die away from her family," the official said.