Pinoy kid with rare disease in UAE seeks help
The relatives of a 10-year-old Filipino boy in Dubai are appealing for help to raise Dh70,000 for surgery to address his rare congenital heart disorder, a UAE news site reported Thursday.
Gil Merced Gatdula is suffering from Tetralogy of Fallot since birth, a rare congenital heart defect, and needs financial help for surgery at Khalifa Hospital, Khaleej Times reported.
“(He) has been suffering from the medical condition since birth. He cannot walk even for a few meters because he has a hard time breathing, becomes very weak and finally loses consciousness,” his mother Mercedita said.
The boy is the third son of Mercedita and Gil Gatdula, who have worked in Dubai for seven years.
Mercedita works as a teaching assistant and earns Dh2,250 a month, while Gil Sr. was terminated after his company was sold. Their two older sons work as janitors.
Big money needed
While doctors had suggested open heart surgery, the procedure was reset frequently because of the family's lack of funds.
Mercedita said medication costs Dh1,700 a month while surgery may cost Dh70,000.
In the Philippines, she said they were even asked to prepare P800,000.
Khaleej Times said Tetralogy of Fallot is a rare, complex heart defect which occurs in about five out of every 10,000 babies.
Despite his young age, Gil has wrinkled skin and shows signs of aging. The surgery has to be done soonest as his condition is deteriorating.
Startup expenses raised
Susan Jose, who looks after charity activities at St Mary’s Church in Dubai where the Gatdulas belong, said parishioners have "startup" medical expenses.
“Volunteers at St Mary’s Church under the guidance of the parish priest, Rev Father Tomasito, have supported initial medical expenses and would help the family stay together on compassionate grounds,” she said.
She said surgery will be scheduled at Khalifa Hospital as soon as the money is raised. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News
Gil Merced Gatdula is suffering from Tetralogy of Fallot since birth, a rare congenital heart defect, and needs financial help for surgery at Khalifa Hospital, Khaleej Times reported.
“(He) has been suffering from the medical condition since birth. He cannot walk even for a few meters because he has a hard time breathing, becomes very weak and finally loses consciousness,” his mother Mercedita said.
The boy is the third son of Mercedita and Gil Gatdula, who have worked in Dubai for seven years.
Mercedita works as a teaching assistant and earns Dh2,250 a month, while Gil Sr. was terminated after his company was sold. Their two older sons work as janitors.
Big money needed
While doctors had suggested open heart surgery, the procedure was reset frequently because of the family's lack of funds.
Mercedita said medication costs Dh1,700 a month while surgery may cost Dh70,000.
In the Philippines, she said they were even asked to prepare P800,000.
Khaleej Times said Tetralogy of Fallot is a rare, complex heart defect which occurs in about five out of every 10,000 babies.
Despite his young age, Gil has wrinkled skin and shows signs of aging. The surgery has to be done soonest as his condition is deteriorating.
Startup expenses raised
Susan Jose, who looks after charity activities at St Mary’s Church in Dubai where the Gatdulas belong, said parishioners have "startup" medical expenses.
“Volunteers at St Mary’s Church under the guidance of the parish priest, Rev Father Tomasito, have supported initial medical expenses and would help the family stay together on compassionate grounds,” she said.
She said surgery will be scheduled at Khalifa Hospital as soon as the money is raised. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News
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