Kenyan Patient Stranded in Abu Dhabi Hospital Evacuated

A Kenyan woman diagnosed with Leukemia who had been stranded in Abu Dhabi over lack of travel documents has been evacuated. 

Fatuma Kazdungu Thoya, who was working in Abu Dhabi, arrived at Moi International Airport in Mombasa on Tuesday after the Diaspora County48 Kenya organized a funds drive to facilitate her travel back home. Diaspora County48 Kenya governor Bernard Kavyu conveyed that the woman had been hospitalized and doctors agreed to discharge her so she can be closely monitored by her family. The Diaspora County 48 and Diaspora Insurance covered all the costs of evacuation and admission to a hospital in Kenya, estimated at Sh500,000. 

“We raised this issue with the Principal Secretary State Department for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu. Diaspora Insurance and Diaspora County48 Kenya have paid for the evacuation of this lady to Kenya where she will require a bone marrow transplant within the next 14 days,” Bernard Kavyu said in a statement. 

Upon arrival in Mombasa, Fatuma was reunited with her children and other relatives. Governor Kavyu has reached out to the government for assistance in allowing Fatuma to continue her treatment. He regretted that her children were suspended from school due to non-payment of fees. According to Kavyu, Fatuma will require a bone marrow transplant in Kenya.

A letter addressed to the Diaspora Affairs PS requests assistance in aiding the destitute woman who requires hospital admission within 14 days. In the letter, Kavyu suggests the implementation of Diaspora Insurance to ensure Kenyans abroad receive necessary support during challenging times.