Abubacker Madathil (45), an Indian chronic diabetic patient who arrived in Riyadh a year ago to work as house-driver, lost vision in both eyes some 10 days ago and suddenly went blind. Abubacker said he needs someone's help even to walk on the street or do the daily household chore. “I cannot see anymore, the world has become dark for me,” said Abubacker, expressing his desire to go home at the earliest. Abubacker has no medical coverage, as he has no Iqama and his sponsor has already reported him as a runaway worker. An early departure from Saudi Arabia appears remote possibility for him, as he has no passport with him. Abubacker said his sugar level has been rising, which is a cause of concern amid his loss of total vision. He said he would appeal to Riyadh Governorate to intervene and facilitate his early departure. He said he would also visit his sponsor's office with a request to help him in his debilitating health condition, he said. Abubacker said he never received Iqama from his sponsor. Abubacker paid SR8,000 (an equivalent of Indian rupees 100,000) to an Indian recruiting agent in Kerala and bought the Saudi house-driver's visa. Upon his arrival in Riyadh, he was assigned to work as a driver with a Saudi family. He said his struggle for survival started when his employer asked to stop working. The biggest challenge was to find a job without legal documents such as passport and Iqama, he said. Abubacker then started to work in different capacities such as cook, plumbing assistant and helper in a number of other jobs. “This was necessary for my survival and to recover the visa money I paid in India,” he said. His problems compound with the loss of vision. He said he is finding it very hard to survive without the eyesight. “Earlier, I was able to work and earn money just enough for my daily expenses. But now I lost the vision that forces me to depend on someone's support even to walk on the street,” he said. He said a polyclinic in Batha has been offering him free treatment. According to medical report Abubacker suffered acute loss of vision due to his health condition called diabetic retinopathy, that causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina. Since Abubacker has been a chronic diabetic patient doctors at a polyclinic in Riyadh advised him to seek immediate treatment by an advanced ophthalmic center and probably requires surgical care. Abubacker said a social organization and members of the Indian community have been of great help to him in his deteriorating health condition. “But I am desperate to go home. I want someone to help me in my departure to India at the earliest possible,” he said.
