By Vir B. Lumicao
A newly-wed Filipina domestic helper who reportedly hanged
herself in her employer’s house in Sheung Shui on Aug 1 has been taken off life
support machines after being pronounced clinically dead, according to Consulate
officers.
The cause of the apparent suicide was not immediately known,
and no suicide note was reportedly found.
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| North District Hospital in Sheung Shui where the victim was declared dead |
The victim, who had been working in Hong
Kong for eight years, was reportedly found hanging by her neck in
her bedroom by her 39-year-old male employer, who took her down and called
police. She was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
At 3:23 pm on Aug. 6, she was declared brain-dead, said
Lorna Obedoza of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration office.
By noon the next day, the victim’s husband whom she married
only on Jun 25, arrived from Antique, and was escorted directly to the hospital
by OWWA staff. He arrived just in time to witness his wife being taken off life
support.
A source said the victim went home only recently to wed her
husband in civil rites, with plans to follow it up with a church wedding.
Obedoza said a cousin of the victim had earlier begged
doctors not to unplug the machines yet, but they were told of the Hospital
Authority’s policy to keep life support on only for 24 hours after a patient is
declared brain-dead.
The cousin reportedly wanted the patient to be kept alive
until Sunday so her friends could come and say goodbye.
Consul Saret said his office is now preparing to repatriate
the victim’s remains.
Talk to people or
call hotline, distressed OFWs urged
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| Consul Paul says, call us if you need help |
The Consulate is advising Filipino workers in Hong Kong to talk with relatives and friends about their
problems to unburden themselves, or call for help.
Consul Paulo Saret, head of the assistance to nationals
section, gave the advice in the wake of reports that a Filipina domestic worker
had hanged herself on Aug. 1.
If they are too shy to share their problems with those close
to them, the Consulate’s hotline is open 24 hours a day with an officer ready
to listen and advise them, said Saret.
“Iyong mga kababayan nating may dinadalang mabigat na
problema, nandito naman tayo, bukas itong ating Konsulado from Sunday to
Thursday,” Saret said.
He said that apart from ATN staff manning the hotline, the
Consulate also has a social welfare attaché, Beth Dy, who is a qualified
counselor and could be contacted for one-on-one consultation.
Saret said that whatever problem a worker has, be it over money,
or problems with employers, a solution can be found.
“Yung pera, hindi naman yun ang be all and end all ng buhay
natin. Yung employer naman po, kung anuman ang problema, nandito kami sa ATN at
POLO,” Saret said.
Those who need to contact ATN may call the consular hotline,
9155 4023. For work-related concerns, they may call OWWA’s hotline, 6345 9324
or 5529 1880 for the Philippine Overseas Labor Office. – VBL
.
