Beggar dies after being refused hospital treatment

MANILA, Philippines - A mendicant was found dead on a sidewalk in Sta. Cruz, Manila yesterday morning after a government-run hospital reportedly refused to treat him.

The still unidentified man, described as between 35 and 40 years old, at least 5’4” tall and with a tattoo of “JMR” on his right knee, was discovered by passersby not breathing as he lay on the pavement in front of the Odeon Mall along C.M. Recto street.

People in the area said they observed the man loitering for the past several days.

Barangay tanods told police they brought the man to the Mother and Child Hospital in Tondo two days ago after noticing that he was sick. Doctors diagnosed the man to be suffering from tuberculosis.

However, the tanods said the hospital staff refused to have the man admitted for confinement, saying he has no relatives to take care of him. The barangay tanods then brought him back to his usual resting place.