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A four-wheeler mishap has put Boutaina Laarej in critical condition, isolated in a hospital far from her family, thousands of kilometers away. The 27-year-old from El Jadida had been in the Dominican Republic for two months seeking employment when the vehicle she was operating flipped over in the resort town of Las Terrenas four days ago, sending her flying and resulting in her head hitting the ground.

«She sustained a severe injury to her head and skull,» her brother, Mohamed Amine, stated on Wednesday. He mentioned that Boutaina experienced internal bleeding, several skull fractures impacting her brain, and a broken jaw.

Without travel insurance and with no family nearby, her immediate medical care relied on the kindness of strangers. “Some generous people came forward and covered the hospital deposit, which was approximately 80,000 dirhams, helping to pay for the cervical surgery she had,” said Mohamed Amine.

Physicians managed to halt the internal bleeding and extract bone pieces resulting from the skull fractures. «She was granted a second opportunity to live. Even her doctor admitted it was a miracle she survived,» her brother remembered.

However, Boutaina is still in a critical state. “She is awake, but not completely aware. When she wakes up, she becomes restless and disoriented. She is still experiencing shock,” he mentioned.

Without any family members by her side, the family gets information mainly from one of Boutaina’s former coworkers, who can visit her for a short time during visiting hours.

Mounting hospital costs

With her ongoing treatment, a new critical issue has arisen. “Yesterday, they called and informed us that for Boutaina to keep receiving treatment and stay in the hospital, the clinic requires a deposit of $40,000,” said Mohamed Amine, an amount well beyond the family’s financial capacity.

«She must continue to stay there as she is at risk of another internal bleed. Her jaw is broken, and she will eventually require another surgery,» he said.

Adding to the family’s sorrow is the reality that Boutaina is still by herself. The accident occurred while Mohamed Amine was in the middle of renewing his passport, preventing him from traveling right away. Even after he gets it, the expense of traveling to the Dominican Republic becomes another challenge.

Financial resources are limited. I’m working to gather enough funds for my flight to the Dominican Republic,” he said. “I want to be by my sister’s side.

Mohamed Amine has been urgently seeking assistance. He posted avideoseeking online financial assistance to help with his sister’s increasing medical costs and is working on initiating a donation-based fundraising effort.

He has also requested help from Moroccan diplomatic offices in the Dominican Republic, but claims that multiple calls have remained unanswered. “We visited the Foreign Ministry and submitted her case so it could be sent to the consulate,” he stated.

For the family, the main concern is now to make sure Boutaina can keep getting the treatment she requires. “Our request is to find a way to save her life, whether that involves bringing her back to Morocco or making sure she gets the care she needs there,” said Mohamed Amine.