Filipina with A(H1N1) fights for her life in HK

MANILA, Philippines - The Filipina domestic helper who was afflicted with a serious case of A(H1N1) remains in critical condition, 13 days after she was admitted in a Hong Kong hospital. The 37-year-old woman's life now rests on a mechanical lung that pumps oxygen into her system, Vice Consul Val Roque told GMANews.TV on Monday. Citing a Saturday report by doctors, Roque said the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) is still in “a very delicate situation." “She’s sedated but is not in a state of coma," Roque said. “We are hoping and praying that the Lord will continue to sustain her." The Filipina developed fever a day after arriving in Hong Kong from the Philippines on June 28 and was given medication at a private clinic. She returned for a check-up on July 1, when an X-ray showed her lungs were clear. But her condition quickly deteriorated, and she was admitted to the United Christian Hospital's intensive care unit with serious pneumonia on July 7. Roque said the OFW’s husband has been coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs to attend to his wife in Hong Kong. The consulate has assured the husband of free lodging in Hong Kong, but he still needs to shoulder his airfare. Roque said the husband would finalize his plans by Tuesday. The Hong Kong government is paying for the hospitalization expenses of the Filipina, since she is a ‘swine flu’ victim. Eight Filipinos in Hong Kong have been hit by the deadly flu, including a 42-year-old seaman from La Union province who died from complications with both A(H1N1) influenza and the bacterium Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA). [See: Filipino seafarer with A(H1N1) dies in HK] The six other victims have recovered from the ailment. Roque said the remains of the Filipino seafarer would be flown back to Manila on Friday. Earlier, he earlier allayed fears that Filipino visitors would be viewed with suspicion upon entering the Chinese territory. “No one’s saying, ‘You Filipinos are carrying swine flu here’. People here understand that the swine flu is mild and everyone is vulnerable," he said. [See: 'Pinoys are not swine flu carriers in Hong Kong'] - Joseph Holandes Ubalde, GMANews.TV