Coma maid's family demand probe

Mohammed RASOOLDEEN in Riyadh

The family of a Sri Lankan maid, who has been in coma for three months in a hospital in the Eastern Province town of Hofuf, is demanding a full investigation into the circumstances that led to her condition.

Saroja Devi, 32, from Wilangama was admitted to Al-Musa Hospital, a private-run healthcare facility, by her employer on July 2, but was later transferred to the Governmental Prince Saud bin Jalawi Hospital in view of the high cost of treatment.

According to a hospital report, the maid had suffered brain damage due to smoke inhalation and subsequently slipped into a coma.

Nurses present at the time of her admission to the government hospital said though the woman was in an almost vegetative state, she used to scream when hearing her employer's voice. This raised suspicion that the employer might have been responsible for his maid's condition.

The woman's husband has requested the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh to ask the police to launch an investigation as he suspected that his wife might have been the victim of a crime. The employer had told the police that there was a small fire in the house and the woman, who was working in the kitchen at the time, had inhaled smoke.

A senior official at the Sri Lankan Embassy told the Daily News that he visited the patient at hospital yesterday. He said that according to hospital authorities, the woman had suffered brain damage and there was little chance of recovery. "Her hands and feet were motionless," the official said.

According to the official, the embassy will submit a formal request with the Hofuf police asking for a thorough investigation.

Salman, a Sri Lankan social worker in the region, told the Daily News that he visits the patient on a daily basis to know whether she was showing any signs of improvement.

"It would be better to repatriate her home after obtaining suitable compensation from her employer since the doctors have lost hope of curing her," he said.

Saroja Devi is a mother of two, who live with their father in Sri Lanka.