<p>dubai: A man who has been undergoing treatment at the ICU of Dubai Hospital for the past one and a half years was flown home to Kerala, after he received help from the Indian consulate. V P Salahuddin of Elambachi in Kozhikode was taken to medical college hospital in a Norka ambulance from Kozhikode airport the other day. At the same time, his debt ridden family is struggling to meet the treatment cost. Salahuddin had racked up a bill of Rs 2 crore (10 lakh dirhams) but the hospital authorities waived off the charges, thereby allowing him to go home. It was the consulate that footed the expenses of flying him home in a stretcher along with a medical team. The consulate also thanked Dubai health authority for writing off such a huge bill. Salahuddin was accompanied by his brother Shahul as well during the journey back home</p> <p>Salahuddin who was working as a tea maker at a cafeteria near Deira City Centre was admitted to the hospital after he suffered a stroke. Though he has been working in the Gulf for the past 24 years, Salahuddin did not have insurance cover. Salahuddin was admitted in June, 2016 and since then he has been under the care of Dubai Hospital. Kumar pointed out that a growing number of people are in a similar predicament because they do not have insurance coverage and that people Social work volunteer Praveen Kumar who took the lead in making the arrangements for Salahuddin&rsquo;s travel said it was due to the consulate&rsquo;s intervention that they were able to send Salahuddin home insurance covers. Though Salahuddin has returned his family is in a severe financial crisis. He has three daughters, one of them had got married recently. Shahul who works as an assistant in a purdah stall said already they have spent all they can for tests and medicines, indicating that it will be difficult to meet future expenses. &lsquo;Ensure you have medical insurance cover&rsquo;Dubai: &ldquo;Please, all those who are planning to come to Gulf must make sure that they have a medical insurance,&rdquo; social activist Praveen Kumar said with folded hands. Last year alone, 30 such cases have been reported, he said. Hospital expenses have ruined many, but our people still do not learn, he pointed out with exasperation. Even those who come for work may have the medical cover only for a year and they will not renew it. The Indian consulate has issued several warnings, but they have gone unheeded. Though you can get one by spending just Rs 1,000 many ignore it, adding that those coming on visiting visa should be cautious about their health must have medical insurance with them.</p>