GDN: DIPLOMATS and social workers are baffled after a Filipino woman diagnosed with a brain tumour disappeared from hospital, apparently to be repatriated home.
It is assumed that Genevieve Dolorito, 41, was repatriated to the Philippines - despite her husband earlier objecting to her returning home.
She has undergone two operations at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) since December and was recuperating on a general ward after the second surgery last month.
Volunteers had planned to raise money for her family in the Philippines, since she was no longer able to continue her work as a carer for an elderly Bahraini woman.
Her husband had objected to her being sent home, saying his business had burnt down and he was unable to afford her treatment as a result.
However, social workers were surprised to learn Ms Dolorito had already been flown back to the Philippines without them or the Philippine Embassy being informed - and before they could raise any funds to support her.
The woman's employer is even understood to have recommended that she remain in Bahrain for follow-up treatment.
"Her present employer was saying it was better for her to recuperate here because of her delicate condition and it's better here than in the Philippines," said Ecumenical Conference of Charity volunteer Nilda Hidalgo-Batzes, who also heads a patient visitation group called the Hospital Ministry of the Loving God.
Ms Hidalgo-Batzes said there were now genuine concerns about Ms Dolorito's health and well-being, adding that she had no way of knowing where she was.
"Ms Dolorito told us that her husband was not willing to take her back, as he couldn't afford her treatment after he lost his business," said Ms Hidalgo-Batzes.
"We couldn't get much information about her husband except his name and the address, which we got from Ms Dolorito's employer.
"As Ms Dolorito was unable to work, we were planning to raise some funds for her and her family back in the Philippines."
The 41-year-old was diagnosed with a brain tumour last October and admitted to SMC, where she had her first surgery in December.
She was readmitted to hospital after her condition deteriorated in April.
"We forwarded her case to the Philippine Embassy and told them about her health condition and situation with her husband and also informed the Overseas Workers Welfare Association," added Ms Hidalgo-Batzes.
"I personally contacted the GMA Kapuso Foundation, which helps underprivileged people in the Philippines, and asked if they could provide her a temporary shelter - but they said they don't do this.
"Then when I called the ward I was informed she was already sent back to the Philippines.
"I am not sure where the employer sent her. As far as I know, the employer had issues sending her back as she was unable to find a family member to receive or care for her. Plus she was bedridden, how did she manage to send her back?"
A Philippine Embassy official confirmed that staff were still waiting for information about the case and were "surprised" that Ms Dolorito has apparently left the country without their knowledge.
"We are really surprised to know that the patient left Bahrain already without our knowledge, as we were trying to help her," said an official.
"When our representative visited her, she was unable to provide much information as she was unable to talk properly due to the surgery.
"So we got her employer's contact details from Ms Hidalgo-Batzes and were waiting for her response.
"This is really strange that the employer didn't tell us or Ms Hidalgo-Batzes about the repatriation."
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