“It was the happiest days of his life. A dream come true, he’ll always say to me.”
However, two months after he filed his residency application, his family says that Puno started acting differently.
The family attempted to apply for provincial health care in Alberta, but their request was denied as Puno isn’t a Canadian citizen and doesn’t meet their eligibility criteria for health coverage.
“When the result came, it was just so frustrating,” Robin said.
“We don’t know what to do next. That’s the only way we can cover his hospital bills.”
Family #reunification turns into a health care nightmare. Tonight on @OMNITelevision and @citynewscalgary we share the story and lessons learned of an #Alberta family after their father suffered stroke while tourist in #Canada. pic.twitter.com/p2cteRKSyk
— Theresa Redula (@TheresaRedula) March 10, 2021
Although his condition is getting better and Puno is now medically stable, doctors say he still needs rehabilitation. The family worries that their father may be released from the hospital due to lack of health coverage.
With no solution in sight and Puno’s visa expiring in April, the family is faced with a difficult decision to send him back to the Philippines, where he can receive the benefits of Philhealth care. The family has also reached out to the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary and set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for his flight back.
“We only live here paycheque to paycheque but on top of that, is the hospital bills are very expensive here in Canada,” Robin said.
OMNI Television reached out to Alberta Health Services who say they can’t comment on specific cases, but did say that they work to ensure that in cases where they’re unable to make arrangements for transfer of the patient, other government agencies may be asked to assist.
