Dubai helps fund poor Filipina's cancer fight

I find it hard to sleep because my bones hurt a lot. The excruciating pain keeps me awake. I have lost all my hair. It’s not easy, but Allah has been kind,” says 50-year-old Filipina Mariam, who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in January this year.

She was forced to delay heading to the doctor’s because as a single mother of two sons, she couldn’t afford medical care.

(Sneha May Francis)

The delay meant the cancer spread, and within months, she went from Stage 3 to Stage 4.

However, the Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) Mossadah programme, which provides free medical treatment to patients with low income, and charities like Red Crescent ensured there was no more delay, and got her immediate medical care.

She started her treatment in January this year, and is still undergoing chemotherapy thrice a month, before she’s ready to surgically remove the growth.

Despite the pain and the hardships, Mariam shows immense courage and determination to fight the raging cancer in her body.

(Sneha May Francis)

“I have been through so much. And, I know I will come out fine.”

While she breaks down a few times during our conversation, Mariam quickly regains her composure and narrates her story matter-of-factly.

She came to the UAE 30 years ago, and was working in Sharjah. After marrying a Sudanese national, she decided to quit work and focus on her family.

(Sneha May Francis)

However, a failed marriage forced her to take up work again so she could support her two sons. “It was tough, but I was doing it for my boys,” she recalls.

Her sons are now 24- and 22 years old, and one has found employment, while the other is still looking for a job.

(Sneha May Francis)

Mariam had found a lump on a left breast last year, but ignored it because of her financial constraints.

“I couldn’t go to a doctor even though I felt severe pain. My sons had no job then,” she weeps.

It was when she could no longer bear the excruciating pain and the lump grew bigger that she was forced to seek medical help.

“I met a girl who I had helped earlier, and she advised me to go to the Pink Caravan as the check-up is free.”

This was in November last year.

“After the doctor checked me, she scheduled a mammogram, and numerous other tests, and opened my file in Ras Al Khaimah medical centre.

“I told her about my financial situation, and she assured me that all the tests would be free. I was given a ‘grey health card’ [a special card provided to low-income residents]”.

Then, Mariam was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.

When she was transferred to Dubai in January, the cancer touched stage 4.

“I was told I needed to start chemotherapy immediately.”

The Red Crescent paid the first bill of Dh30,000.

Since January, Mariam’s being undergoing chemotherapy every Monday, and every time there’s a charitable organisation helping her foot the bill.

DHA’s Mossadah programme took up Mariam’s case, and has helped fund her medical bills. Salim Bin Lahej, director of the programme, has been initiating the help.

“I don’t know who Mr Salim is, but I see his name every time I go to the hospital. I don’t know whether I will ever meet him, but if I do, I would like to thank him for his kindness.”

Mariam travels from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai thrice a week for her chemotherapy at the Dubai hospital.

“We don’t have a car, and my son’s friend lends us his car for that day, so we can travel. We only pay for the petrol.”

Each treatment works out to Dh14,000.

“Now, I have only Dh4,000 in my account, but the doctor and hospital staff are positive that on Monday the bill will be paid for, and I will get my treatment.”

Mariam adds that she still needs Dh100,000 more for her treatment. So far, she has got Dh90,000.

“My sons always tell me that I’m blessed when they see how much support I’m getting.”

There are days when the effects of the treatment pull her down.

“I feel tired, and I was hospitalised two weeks ago due to an infection. Sometimes my muscles turn numb, and the bones ache. I have lost the sense of taste.

“I find it hard to cook, but I do whatever I can in the morning, so that my boys are taken care of, then I rest the whole day.”

Mariam’s treatment so far has helped her, and despite the harsh side-effects of the chemotherapy, she’s positive that life will give her another chance.

DHA’s Salem bin Lahej said in 2012 the Mossadah programme for residents with financial woes helped collect Dh473,322. In 2013, it collected Dh2,879,849 and in 2014 Dh11,894,696.

The programme reached out to 299 patients in 2012, 497 patients benefitted from this programme in  2013 and  891 patients in 2014.

In terms of nationalities, in 2012 patients belonged to 34 nationalities, in 2013 the number increased to 40, and in 2014, the programme helped people belonging to 46 nationalities.

Bin Lahej adds: “The programme offers a variety of medical services. It covers cost of surgeries, medication, one-time medical assistance, hospital stay, x-rays and other diagnostic tests, physiotherapy, etc.

“Patients with various medical conditions including burns, cardiac problems, cancer patients etc. are also helped out.

“Our aim is to ensure that lack of funds does not get in their way, so that patients, particularly those with chronic diseases, are able to complete the course of their treatment.”

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