A Filipino expatriate confined for weeks in a Dubai hospital has expressed gratitude to a Dubai Police officer who visited him at his bedside and handed him a flower, in a gesture of community outreach that the patient said lifted his spirits during a difficult recovery.
Donell Almanzor Aducal, a sales representative for a flower and gift shop in the emirate, shared the moment on his Facebook account, thanking Dubai Police and affiliated offices for what he described as a meaningful act of solidarity. The visit formed part of the force’s well-being initiatives, under which officers call on patients during holidays and national occasions to distribute small tokens and offer encouragement.
Aducal, who turns 48 on June 18, has been hospitalised for several weeks after being diagnosed with a spinal stroke. He was admitted with symptoms including numbness in both legs and incontinence. Following an angiography of his spine, doctors confirmed an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, a rare tangle of blood vessels in which arteries connect directly to veins without the normal capillaries in between. Neurosurgeons have advised that he will require major surgery to repair the affected vessels and seal off the defective connections.
A spinal AVM can disrupt blood flow to the spinal cord and, if left untreated, cause lasting neurological damage. Treatment commonly involves endovascular embolisation to block the abnormal connections, open surgery to remove or disconnect the malformation, or a combination of both.
Recalling the officers’ visit, Aducal told The Global Filipino Magazine that he was caught off guard by the attention. He shared that he had only just woken and was unable to chat with the visitors, as several officials had come to see him.
His medical journey has been complicated by financial strain. According to a fundraising appeal organised on his behalf, his insurance does not cover the full cost of his treatment, and he has reportedly not received his salary for two months without explanation from his employer. The appeal states that he has a 10-year-old son in the Philippines who depends on his support.
A GoFundMe campaign titled “Support Donell’s Recovery and Family” has been set up to help cover his medical bills and living expenses. Those wishing to extend assistance may visit the page at gofundme.com/f/support-donells-recovery-and-family.
