John Joseph Mary Gonzalez de Chaves Dreyer, affectionately known as Hansi to those close to him, travelled to Mexico with his wife, Carolina Martinez, in March to visit their daughter in Monterrey. However, he unexpectedly fell ill and his condition is critical, although there has been stability in the past two days. His family is tirelessly working to expedite his return to Tenerife, especially as they have already depleted their finances by having to pay 96,000 euros for just 15 days of hospitalisation.
The couple, originally from Puerto de la Cruz but now residing in La Orotava, along with their family, have faced a real ordeal. The travel insurance they had purchased refused to cover the costs, citing a pre-existing condition. Additionally, Carolina did not receive any assistance from the Spanish embassy or consulate in Monterrey when seeking help.
However, the situation took a positive turn recently when the national media started reporting on their plight. The family is determined to bring Hansi back to Spain for his recovery once he stabilises.
The mayors of La Orotava, Francisco Linares, and Puerto de la Cruz, Marco Gonzalez, reached out to relevant authorities such as the Government Subdelegation and the Vice-Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Canary Islands government to assist with the repatriation.
The Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Luis Perestelo, stated on Televisión Canaria that they are carefully monitoring the situation and exploring possible solutions for the return.
Moreover, the family has scheduled another meeting next week with the Spanish consul in Monterrey, who has offered her assistance, to receive updates on John Joseph’s health and to coordinate with Spanish authorities.
“We now feel a bit more supported,” admits Carolina, praising the excellent treatment at the public hospital where her husband is receiving care and the dedication of the medical staff towards his recovery.
Their daughter has initiated a crowdfunding campaign on the GofundMe platform to continue covering the costs of treatment and medications. Those willing to contribute can do so through this link.
