DUBAI, 1 December 2003 — A government hospital will not release a Filipina worker who gave birth prematurely while in transit through the emirate, Gulf News reported yesterday.
On her way to the Philippines, Evelyn Masanay stopped in Dubai to catch a connecting flight but was rushed to Al-Wasl Hospital for the Cesarean delivery of a baby boy after suffering from “uncontrolled episodes of hypertension” the English-language daily reported.
Masanay, who lives in Saudi Arabia with her husband, cannot pay the 5,000 dirham hospital bill, and as a result cannot be discharged, a hospital spokeswoman told AFP.
“Anybody having a service has to pay for the service, even for an emergency,” said Al-Wasl’s public affairs officer who identified herself only as Aisha.
