A generous Khaleej Times reader had come forward to settle her outstanding bills.- Photo by Dhes Handumon
Dubai - Her husband could not travel to Dubai owing an immigration ban.
Published: Sun 9 Sep 2018, 6:00 PM
Last updated: Mon 10 Sep 2018, 5:18 PM
A KT reader, who wished not to be named, has paid the hospital bills of the Pakistani mother Ruqia Ahsan Elahi and her children Laila (4) and Barhaan (2) after a report on them was published in Khaleej Times (KT) on Tuesday.
Ruqia could not avail of the ongoing UAE amnesty programme 'Protect Yourself via Rectifying Your Status' as a total of Dh8,600 was pending in unpaid hospital bills at the Iranian Hospital in Al Wasl Dubai. The hefty bills accumulated after the birth of her son Barhaan, according to Ruqia. Her husband could not travel to Dubai owing an immigration ban.
A generous Khaleej Times reader had come forward to settle her outstanding bills with the hospital when the mother of two had almost lost all hope. The benefactor settled the bill, and now, Ruqia is now one step closer to legalising her status and acquiring proper documentation for her son.
The benefactor on the condition of anonymity said: "I read the article on the Khaleej Times website and decided to meet her immediately. I went to her house and it broke my heart to see her condition. I did my duty by helping her and the babies."
Living off donations from neighbours and nearby shops, Khaleej Times first reported Ruqia's plight in an article on September 4. The mother and children were also facing harassments from various men who lived in the area near her villa in Al Qouz.
An overwhelming number of people approached the Khaleej Times to help the mum and her kids. The Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai has promised to fast-track all documentation works required to proceed with her amnesty. Ruqia also met officials at the Pakistan Association in Dubai.
Beamed with hope
Overwhelmed by the generosity of the 'unknown person', Ruqia said: "He settled the entire amount. It came up to approximately Dh8,600. I could not believe my ears. He gave us a chance to start a new life. The generosity of the people has been overwhelming. I would like to thank the media and the donor."
After the bills were settled, the hospital handed over Barhaan's birth notification document to Ruqia on Sunday.
Ruqia is currently in the process of procuring a birth certificate for her son so that she can proceed with the amnesty documents. "Since my husband is in Pakistan, he has to submit an attested no-objection certificate to the Iranian Hospital confirming that Barhaan is his biological child," she said.
"Once that is complete; I will submit the NOC to the Ministry of Health and Prevention who will issue the certificate. This might take another 10 days, but I am hopeful, everything will go smoothly now," she added.
Ruqia, a sales professional in furniture design business, said she wanted to return to Dubai and start afresh.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
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