05 March 2014 - After suffering a stroke which left her paralyzed and with hospitals bills of almost 2.4 million pesos (US$ 58,000), overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Novelita Perez was finally reunited with her family on March 2, thanks to the efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Filipino community in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Perez, a 45-year old native of Caloocan City, was in the process of obtaining her final exit visa during the grace period set by the Kingdom for illegal workers last year when tragedy struck the runaway household helper. She was brought to the Jeddah National Hospital (JNH) where she was cared for by the mostly Filipino staff.

The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, with assistance from JNH doctors Grace Gonzales and Alex Tan, successfully negotiated for a substantial reduction in her hospital bill. The Consulate and the Filipino community also helped in securing the final exit visa of the OFW.

Lucid and responding with eager nods amid tears, Ms. Perez expressed appreciation to the hospital and its staff and the DFA. END