Remains of OFW who died of cardiac arrest in Dubai to arrive in PH on Wednesday

Assistance poured in for the immediate repatriation of Ma. Monica Manuel, an overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who died of cardiac arrest in Dubai last September 27.

Manuel, 27, was diagnosed of stage 4 liver cancer last August.

She worked at a ladies salon in Dubai and stayed in the emirate for five years.

Her family in Lubao, Pampanga is grateful to Philippine officials in the UAE for extending their help to settle her huge hospital bill amounting to Php1 million.

“Maraming salamat po. We are very thankful sa government, particularly sa Embassy, sa Consulate at sa OWWA, kay Sen. Bong Go, sa mga kaibigan nya na tumulong talaga para mapabilis ang pag-uwi ng aking anak,” her mother Rita told The Filipino Times.

Rita recalled that her daughter suffered a cold and flu in July this year. But what she thought to be just an ordinary sickness landed her in the hospital.

“When we chat nung August, sabi nya ma’ meron parin akong ubo at sipon. Then nilagnat na sya. Umiiyak na ako sabi ko umuwi ka na para mapatingnan ka namin dito,” Rita said.

“Sabi nya oo ma’, tatapusin ko lang ang kontrata ko hanggang November 11 para makuha ko ang gratuity ko,” she added.

Then in August, aside from high fever, the OFW began complaining of a terrible pain in the upper right portion of her abdomen.

In frantic, Rita advised her daughter to go back to the hospital affiliated to her health insurance for check up.

“To cut the story short, nagpaultrasound sya… Ang sabi ng doctor may nakitang mass sa left lobe of her liver. Ang laki nya was 12.9 X 9.2 cm. So, it was almost the size of a tennis ball sabi rin ng doctor na kinunsulta ko dito sa amin nung pinakita ko yung results for a second opinion,” she shared with TFT.

She was confined in another hospital in Dubai in the second week of September due to her very weak immune system and asthma.

For days, the OFW was put in the intensive care unit (ICU) after her doctors found that the mass in her liver blocked the flow of oxygen, leading to further deterioration of her body.

“It was quite difficult to handle because we were apart. Gustuhin man namin na puntahan sya at maalagaan nung time na yun, hindi naman namin magawa,” her mother said.

The remains of Monica will arrive on October 2, Wednesday, at the Clark International Airport.

Her family is  now seeking help for the funeral services of Monica. (MN)