Penniless TB-stricken man dies right after leaving hospital in Manila

MANILA, Philippines—A 34-year-old man, who had just had himself voluntarily discharged from a hospital for lack of money to continue his treatment, died late Saturday afternoon while waiting for a ride home in Manila.

Richard Verilla, of Clarissa Homes, Punta Uno, Tanza, Cavite, who was accompanied by his mother, Virginia, was waiting at around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, for a Cavite-bound bus near the Metropolitan Theater at Plaza Lawton in Ermita, when he suddenly collapsed and died.

SPO2 Glenzor Vallejo, of the Manila Police District homicide section, said that before the incident, the Verillas had just left the San Lazaro Hospital in Sta. Cruz where the 34-year-old man was treated for pulmonary tuberculosis.

Vallejo revealed that Verilla was brought to the hospital on March 26 but “for lack of financial capacity to support the medical expenses,” he and his family members decided that it would be better for him to go home.

But while waiting for a bus bound for Cavite, Verilla fainted and subsequently died.

His body was brought to the St. Yvan funeral parlor for safekeeping. Verilla’s mother told police investigators that her son has had the medical condition since birth.