Mother of three needs Dh50,000 to have heart surgery she has delayed for a year
Most Christians will be celebrating Christmas tomorrow but Manalita Antiporda, 65, will be providing manicures and pedicures at the salon where she has been working for seven years.
December 25 marks one year to the day that she was diagnosed with a hole in her mitral heart valve. She still requires urgent heart surgery.
“On Christmas day and every day I will be working here at the salon,” says Ms Antiporda, a Filipina. “I pray that someone can help me with my operation.”
Last year, the mother of three found it had become difficult to walk a few steps without breathing difficulties. Ms Antiporda went to a hospital in Dubai and doctors told her that she had a hole in a heart valve and must have surgery, which would cost Dh80,000.
“I managed to raise Dh30,000 but there is still Dh50,000 I don’t have,” she says.
To make matters worse, Ms Antiporda was put on blood-thinning medication until she has her operation. This makes her bleed internally and her body is covered in bruises.
“The doctor said that I can’t stop the medication otherwise I might get a blood clot and die,” she says.
“I have been suffering for a year now. I can’t breathe and I am very tired. All I can do is work and pray that someone will help me to raise the money.”
Ms Antiporda’s husband died eight years ago. She has been working in beauty parlours in Dubai since 1987. She earns Dh3,000 of which Dh2,300 goes to rent. Her insurance does not cover the cost of heart surgery.
“My insurance is very basic. I pay 25 per cent of the cost of my medication,” she says.
Two of her three children are back home in the Philippines.
“Only one daughter is here with me and she works with me at the salon doing manicures and pedicures,” Ms Antiporda says. “She helps to pay for the food.”
What little remains of her earnings is sent to her children in the Philippines.
Hisham Al Zahrani, manager of zakat and social services at Dar Al Ber Society, said: “It has been a year and Ms Antiporda’s condition continues to deteriorate without surgery.
“Her life is at risk and she needs to have the operation immediately. We hope readers can help raise the remaining Dh50,000 for the operation.”