Paralysed Filipina to be repatriated soon

M.K., a Filipina domestic helper, sustained broken legs and pelvic bones and was left half-paralysed on September 9 after the makeshift rope she used for the escape made broke loose and she came crashing down, Philippine Labour Attache Vicente Cabe clarified.

Cabe also said M.K. had requested her employer to cancel her visa because she wanted to go home. Ironically, she attempted the escape little knowing that her visa stood already cancelled.

"We are not sure if there was a communication problem between M.K. and her employer. She was not in a right frame of mind at the time of her alleged escape," Cabe said.

After M.K. was brought to the Rashid Hospital, doctors did not initially notice her mental condition as they were focused on attending to her physical injuries. Eventually, consulate officials and medical staff recommended that she be given psychiatric treatment because of her abnormal behaviour and utterances.

Latest developments regarding M.K.'s case suggest that she may be repatriated to the Philippines soon as her employer agreed to settle her employment dues.

She has already been a clearance to travel and a release order effective yesterday (October 23) by her physician.

Eduardo Mendoza, Jr., Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration (OWWA) officer, said they had to seek the Department of Immigration's assistance in coordinating with M.K.'s employer who earlier had been difficult to get in touch with.

"Our OWWA office in Manila will also coordinate with the hospital where M.K. will be confined in as soon as she returns home. A follow-up treatment would have to be given to her," Mendoza stated.

Labour Attache Cabe disclosed that the employer has agreed to provide a business class ticket for M.K. who cannot travel on economy class because of her medical condition. Other terms have also been agreed upon by the employer and the consulate for M.K.'s welfare.

Cabe said as soon as the medical and travel documents were finalised M.K. would return to the Philippines.