Medical aid for stranded OFWs in Saudi rejected

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia rejected the request to hold a medical mission for stranded overseas Filipino workers, mostly women with children, still inside the embassy compound seeking help for their repatriation, rights groups said on Thursday.

Rights groups Migrante and and Gabriela sent a letter to Philippine ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzadin Tago, requesting the holding of a medical mission for stranded OFWs who have camped inside the Philippinr embassy compound.

"We would like to inform you that Avicenna Clinic, and Magrabi Hospital Riyadh staff nurses are conducting a medical mission on Friday, 17 May 2013 at 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.," the groups said in their letter dated May 6 to Tago.

Two days after, the Philippine  embassy through its administrative officer Mohanad Taha Guinomla replied, rejecting the request to hold medical mission.

"We regret that we are unable to accommodate your request for a medical mission for the OFWs inside the Embassy premises,” Guinomla in his letter reply dated May 15, 2013.

He said that the embassy is closed to the public on Fridays, adding that officials "cannot allow non-embassy personnel to enter the premises."

However Guinomla said they are "always ready to extend medical assistance to the distressed OFWs and bring them to the hospital should they require such assistance."

The number of stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia seeking repatriation has surged to 7,500.It is expected to balloon to around 12,000 as the Saudi government-imposed grace period to put in order  documents and legalization of undocumented migrants will end on July 8. -Dennis Carcamo