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| Emelita Llamo Vidal during better times. |
By Vir B. Lumicao
A 58-year-old Filipina who is in intensive care in Tuen Mun
Hospital after suffering a stroke is asking help from the government so she
could be repatriated as soon as possible as she wants to be treated in a hospital
back home.
But Overseas Workers Welfare Administration staff could not
visit her reportedly because of a ban on hospital visits due to the Wuhan
Emelita Llamo Vidal, a native of Roxas, Capiz, was taken by her
employer to the hospital on Jan 29 after she collapsed at the latter’s home in
Yuen Long before noon.
She was the second Filipina domestic worker in Hong Kong reported to have suffered a stroke on the same
day. The other worker, Lovella F. Albero, is now being treated in the emergency
room of Pamela Youde Nethersole
Eastern Hospital
Vidal, who has been working in Hong
Kong for the past 22 years, sought the help of friends to inform OWWA
about her plight as well as her wish to go home.
Her situation was relayed to Philippine Overseas Labor
Office officer-in-charge, Antonio Villafuerte, who notified OWWA welfare
officers.
Villafuerte said on Sunday, however, that WelOf Virsie B.
Tamayao could not see the patient because of the visiting ban.
In an advisory on Jan 26, the Hospital Authority said:
“In accordance with Hong Kong
government’s Preparedness Plan, the Hospital Authority has implemented measures
of the Emergency Response Level. Visiting arrangement is suspended, while
compassionate arrangement will be made for clinical consideration.
“Visiting hours will be changed subject to HA Response Level
for Infection Control. Please contact Enquiry Office on 2683 8888 for details.”
Villafuerte said that even if OWWA does get to see her, the patient’s wish to be repatriated soon may not be possible
unless her hospital doctors certify her as fit to fly.
Vidal is reportedly conscious and has managed to chat with a
niece and her daughter, who arrived two weeks ago to work with her in the same
household.
Her niece reportedly tried to see her once to try and
deliver a charger because Vidal’s mobile phone was running low on battery, but
hospital nurses refused her entry because of the visiting ban.
Vidal has three other children and was reportedly taking
care of an elderly woman.
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