Philippine Consulate in Dubai steps in to help repatriate baby

Rollie Tindugan looks at photos of his son, Timothy, who died last month after being born prematurely. Reem Mohammed / The National

DUBAI // The Philippines consulate has stepped in to help repatriate the body of a premature baby who died last month.

The body of Timothy Tindugan, however, could lie in the morgue for a few more weeks because handling the parents’ expired work visas and outstanding medical bills could take time.

The boy, born at 27 weeks on April 20, fought to survive for two months in a neonatal intensive care unit in Zulekha Hospital in Dubai. After being home for barely a week, the child stopped breathing one night and died on June 26.

Rollie Tindugan, the father, had lost his job as an architectural designer a month before the child was born. He cannot afford the overstay fines nor the Dh250,000 medical bills owed.

“All I want is for my baby to be out of the morgue,” Mr Tindugan said.

“I’m trying to find a job. I’m strong and can work hard. This is just a very bad time for my family.”

Mr Tindugan and his wife Rhodora, who works for a clothing company, have lived in Dubai for 12 years. They also have a four-year-old daughter.

Shipping the baby’s body to the Philippines for burial could be done within a week, but clearance of the couple’s residency documents could delay repatriation.

“We are not promising miracles but we are here to help,” said Paul Raymund Cortes, Philippines consul general.

“Resolving their visa status has to be done in a proper manner and all this needs to be cleared before the mother and daughter can accompany the child’s body.

“The father will stay in Dubai but we don’t want the mother and daughter not to be able to return because of their visa status.”

The consulate will also speak to hospital authorities about reducing the charges. In the past it has handled other cases where Filipinos were unable to pay high medical bills.

Dr Zia Ur Rahman Shah, Zulekha’s director of administration, said the hospital was prepared to advise the family on payment options. It would do its “best to help them ease the financial burden while adhering to our policies”.

The couple’s troubles began when Rhodora’s waters broke early on April 20. Although registered at a private hospital covered by her company insurance, they attempted admission at hospitals experienced in handling premature deliveries.

Throughout the day they were turned away from some hospitals on grounds that they lacked facilities or beds to handle prematures.

When they reached Zulekha Hospital late that night, baby Timothy was born in the emergency room.

Mr Cortes said consulate officials read about the case when it was reported earlier this month and urged Filipinos to approach officials for guidance if they were in trouble.

“The hard part for us is that we cannot monitor the plight of 800,000 Filipinos in the UAE,” he said. “We would like to tell our people that the consulate may not be able to shoulder everything but we are always here to help nationals in distress.”