OFW dies from heart attack after being refused by Saudi hospital

Benigno Untalan an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), left the Philippines to work as a crane operator in Saudi Arabia for 28 years. According to his family, he died from heart attack in his workplace's gate, leaving him outside after being denied by Saudi Hospital.

       Photo Credit: furrycategory.com

On Tuesday morning Mr. Untalan complained that he had difficulty in breathing and requested to be rushed to a hospital while at their work place in Al Khobar. However, the company ambulance took too long to arrive.

"Two hours po siyang nag-aabang sa labas ng barracks niya, nu'ng dumating ang ambulansya, tinakbo na po siya sa ospital, 'yun nga lang tinanggihan po siya. Then binalik na ng mga 11, nakabalik po sila sa barracks. Doon na siya namatay sa mismong gate, doon na siya binalot," (He waited for two hours in their barracks, when the ambulance arrived, he was rushed to the hospital, it was where he was denied by the hospital. He returned around 11 at their barracks. Then it happened, he died in their gate and they covered his body there.) said Untalan's son Billy.

The report showed footage of a black body bag supposedly containing Untalan's remains that was left outside of their workplace.

Untalan's family said they have yet to receive a copy of his death certificate, even as his employer and travel agency allegedly refused to coordinate with them.

"Naka-survive sana ang asawa ko. Nilagay pa ang bangkay sa ano, parang aso. Ang bait pa naman ng asawa ko," (My husband could have survived, they just covered him, just like a dog. My husband is kind.) said the victim's wife Alma.

His wife said Untalan had already survived a heart attack in 2019, but still decided to work abroad.

She added, "May tatlo kaming anak na pinag-aaral, kaya kahit may edad na, 58, pinilit niyang magtrabaho, para sa amin. Hindi ko po akalain na ganito ang mangyayari," (We have three kids who are still studying, that is why even if his 58 years old, he works hard for us. I never thought that this will happen.)

Billy said that life was hard for them. Since they were young, their father had to work abroad to provide for their needs. This year is supposed to be his last contract as promised by their father.

The family appealed to the government to help them retrieve Untalan's remains. Jocelyn Hapal, Policy and Program OIC of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), assured the family that Untalan's remains would be immediately sent back as it was not a case of Covid-19.