An overseas Filipino worker becomes the latest casualty of the deadly coronavirus that is sweeping through the Middle East today. The name of the Filipino, a health worker, has been withheld by the Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates pending the notification of his family.
Five more Filipinos have been infected by the virus and are now being quarantined. A Philippine Embassy statement said the victims, now under observation, are being treated at a UAE hospital.
Philippine Ambassador to UAE Grace Princesa urged medical workers in the region to be aware of the SARS-like disease, which has already killed dozens across the Middle East. She urged Filipino workers to strictly observe health standard procedures against the deadly disease.
The government is really helpless about this problem. Its action is only limited to issuing advisories to our overseas workers for them to be aware of the situation and take the necessary measures.
The Middle East has a large concentration of Filipino health professionals. Our doctors, nurses, medical technologists, therapists, among others, have found greener pastures in the booming economies in the region.
Lured by a far better compensation, these health professionals and other Filipino workers have battled homesickness to give their families a decent living. But different abuses are a part of their game. That is why reports about our domestic helpers being physically and sexually abused by their hosts are not anymore news.
Even the deadliest diseases have failed to dampen the spirits of our overseas workers. In fact, deployment to the Middle East remains high despite the coronavirus scare because demands for Filipino workers continue to soar. SARS hit Hong Kong more than a decade ago but this did not hold back Filipino domestic workers from going to the Chinese autonomous region.
Despite all these abuses and maladies, Filipino workers remain positive about their future. Whatever happens, life has to go on for our overseas workers who had to hurdle all adversities to feed their families back home.