OFW dies after tooth extraction in Kuwait

02Sep09

A Filipino overseas worker employed as a mechanic died after a tooth extraction procedure performed by another Pinoy in Kuwait.

Mechanic Licerio Caguicla, 32 was rushed to the Farwaniya Hospital last August 14 and died the following day.

The native of San Luis, Batangas is survived by his wife and three children.

Reports identified the suspect as “Thelma”, a dental x-ray technician at the Farwaniya Hospital for 15 years.

“Nagpunta po siya sa bahay, sabi niya pakner samahan mo ako magpapabunot ako ng ngipin. Sabi ko sa kanya nakita ko kasi may konting maga pa dito, bakit hindi ka sa ospital magpabunot, bakit doon pa kay Thelma,” said Caguicla’s friend Aleth Mejica.

The two went to Thelma’s house where the dental procedure was done. However, Thelma could not stop the bleeding when Caguicla’s molar tooth was removed.

“Tapos iyon tinanong tanong na si Leo pagkatapos bunutin, may high blood ka ba? Naku may sakit ka ba?” Mejica said.

“Thelma” was immediately arrested by the Kuwait’s Criminal Investigation Department and detained at the Farwaniya Police Station for illegal medical practice resulting in manslaughter.

“Tinanong ko siya ng masinsinan sabi ko kabayan alam mo ba yung ginagawa mo illegal? Oo alam ko. Sabi ko sa kanya, ang lakas naman ng loob mo na gawin mo iyon alam mo namang nasa ibang bansa tayo,” said Carmela Galeno.

Another Filipino who knew Thelma described her as a good dentist. “Mabuti siyang dentista. Naglilinis ng ngipin, nagpapasta ng ngipin, at saka paminsan-misan ang alam ko nagbubunot siya ng ngipin kong umuuga na ang ngipin at saka ang alam ko marami siyang customer,” she said.

The Philippine Embassy is now focused on the case since it involved two Filipinos.

“Pinipilit naming kontakin ang members of the family ng namatay at ini-encourage namin na magkaroon ng out of court settlement,” said Ambassador Ricardo Endaya.

Under the Kuwaiti law, dentists licensed in their own countries are not allowed to practice in Kuwait. They are only allowed to work as dental hygienists or dental x-ray technicians.

“Sana ang kasong ito magsilbing warning na sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Kuwait na kapag wala silang lisensiyang mag-practice ng medicine hindi na nila dapat ipagpilitan na mag sideline,” Endaya said. Reports from Maxxy Santiago, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau, Kuwait and Balitang Middle East