Timothy’s sad journey is over

Rhodora Tindugan holds a photo of her son, Timothy, whose death led to weeks of heartbreak and worry over paperwork and expense before he was cremated in the Philippines. Reem Mohammed / The National

DUBAI // Nearly two months after his death, the body of premature baby Timothy Tindugan was allowed out of the UAE and cremated in Manila on Wednesday.

The body of the Filipino baby was repatriated after assistance from the consulate and police that helped clear the paperwork.

Timothy’s parents could not fly to the Philippines for his last rites as they have lost their jobs, must pay overstay immigration fines and complete visa applications.

“No one could go with my son. It was only him on the plane, but we both feel some peace now,” said Rollie Tindugan, whose son’s body had lain in a mortuary since June 26 because neither the documentation nor funds to repatriate the boy’s body were available.

“As a family we wanted to be with him but we have to pay fines and paperwork takes time.”

Timothy was born at 27 weeks on April 20 and died after two months in a neonatal intensive care unit in Dubai.

Mr Tindugan lost his job as an architectural designer a month before Timothy was born.

“We asked God to help us through this. The police and the consulate helped to get the papers processed.”

The child’s body was met by his grandfather and aunt in Manila on Tuesday. The family cremated the child on Wednesday after a mass in church.

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

They planned to continue to search for jobs and fly to the Philippines once their residency is sorted out.

“Once I get a job, I will get the ashes of my son,” said Mr Tindugan.

“Usually in my family, we bury, but a burial costs a lot. So we chose cremation because as a father I could not be with him. With the ashes we can have a part of him with us every day.”

Mr Tindugan has found freelance work but needed full-time employment to clear overstay fines and medical bills.

The family owed Dh250,000 to Zulekha Hospital but that was reduced to Dh175,000 after the Philippine consulate intervened.

Insurers agreed to cover the bulk of the remaining fee, taking costs to Dh77,000 and the hospital cut charges by a further Dh10,000.

Mr Tindugan must raise Dh67,000 for medical bills and about Dh9,000 in immigration fines. Friends are helping out.

The Philippine consulate covered repatriation costs and helped with documentation.

“We were saddened by the tragedy and that they cannot join the family when their baby is laid to rest,” said Paul Raymund Cortes, Philippines consul general.

He urged nationals to double check insurance polices, particularly for maternity cover.

Hospital authorities were ready to continue discussions.

“We are working with insurance to close the process. If the family want to talk further we are open to any discussion,” said Dr Zia ur Rahman Shah, Zulekha Hospital’s director of administration.

Mothers who have delivered prematurely said the loss of a child coupled with the financial situation put an extra burden on the family.

“Only people who have lost a child will know how this family feels,” said Samaiya Sakrani, who started Preemie Parenting – Dubai, a Facebook group to provide emotional support to cope with babies battling life-threatening conditions.

“There are people wanting to help out so hopefully things should work out.”