Migrants' unpaid hospital bills a barrier to birth certificates in UAE

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Philippine national Maya and her husband lost their low-paying jobs in the United Arab Emirates early in the coronavirus pandemic, and with it their work visas and health insurance.

Now they say they face a mounting bill of daily immigration fines because their one-year-old child remains undocumented, as the hospital where it was born withholds the birth notification required to get a certificate until the couple settles a 14,000 dirham bill.

Without the documentation, children in the UAE are unable to get passports, visas or Emirates identification, or to access healthcare and education. The UAE health ministry, which oversees health in the federation of seven emirates, did not respond to requests for comment on the issue. She refused. "If I am not able to pay the full balance they can make a legal case against us," said the 33-year-old, whose monthly salary working at an office had been less than 3,500 dirhams.Ras Al Khaimah's media office did not respond to a request for comment.

In June, Imram, a Sri Lankan national, got his wife discharged from a private Dubai hospital by leaving her passport there. He said he was told they would receive the birth notification once he paid the 11,600 dirham bill.

 

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