Filipina domestic helper dies of stroke

Screenshot of image from the website of United Christian Hospital

A Filipina domestic helper succumbed to stroke on Dec.4, while two others were admitted to a hospital early this month due to the same disease.

Sources from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office told Hong Kong News that Ruth A., a 55-year-old domestic helper died on Dec.4 following confinement at the United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong. She was initially put on life support.

An official, who asked not to be identified, said she has been working in Hong Kong for 21 years and hailed from the province of Isabela.

Her death came after two Filipino domestic workers died in November also due to stroke.  One was 48 years old, while the other was 41.

Three cases of stroke affliction among domestic helpers were recorded in December, including that of Ruth A.

One domestic worker, 51, suffered from acute stroke and was made to undergo rehabilitation, while another one was confined at Queen Mary hospital in Pok Fu Lam on Dec.4.

Stroke was one of the main illnesses which affected Filipina domestic helpers in 2018 and 2019. A tally of medical cases from POLO showed that 91 cases of domestic helpers with stroke were recorded for the said period.

In October alone this year, 32 cases of domestic helpers with stroke have been reported.

Stroke comes in various types such as transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. The World Health Organization said there are lifestyle risk factors, such as smoking, low physical activity levels, unhealthy diet and abdominal obesity.

Medical risk factors, on the other hand, include high blood pressure, diabetes and family history.