2 Dabawenya nurses critically injured in UAE road mishap

DAVAO CITY – A nurse, who hails from this city, has reportedly been declared brain-dead, while her fellow Dabawenya suffered multiple injuries and is now undergoing treatment at an Abu Dhabi hospital after both became victims of a hit-andrun by a speeding vehicle last November 12 in Diwan, United Arab Emirates.

Estee Banaag has reportedly been declared brain-dead by physicians at the Al Ain Hospital, and has been dependent on a mechanical ventilator, while her compatriot Melissa Roble sustained major injuries and is now recuperating at Tawan Hospital after the two Filipinas were allegedly ran over by a BMW at a runabout at around 7 p.m. last November 12.

This was disclosed by officials of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) here who said that they were already assessing the case of the nurses.

Roble reportedly suffered eye, knee, hip, and spinal injuries and would have to undergo numerous surgeries.

OWWA regional director Ed Bellido said that the OWWA and the Philippine Embassy’s Labor Attache were already investigating the incident.

Bellido said that the driver of the speeding BMW was identified as Sager Seed Ahmed, an Emirati national working as a policeman in Al Ain.

Ahmed’s younger brother, who was also a police officer, reportedly visited Roble only once and has not returned since.

According to Bellido, Roble hails from Cabantian in Buhangin District while Banaag is from Matina, Davao City.

Bellido said that the employers of the two Filipinas, as well as officials of the hospitals were they are confined, were already working with the Philippine government representatives in the country.