While the provincial government often celebrates the idea of Immigration, one Honduran woman living in St John’s with her growing family, is in a serious bind as she was just informed she is not eligible for MCP coverage.

Lisa Ordonez, a pregnant mother of three says she loves her new home but the growing stress over mounting medical bills is a deepening concern.

Three years ago, she and her small family relocated to St John’s so her husband could complete his Masters of Applied Science in Oil and Gas Engineering.

With three weeks to go before her due date, Ordonez says she is facing the cost of having the baby on top of appointments and ultrasounds along the way.

Pandemic delays have worked against the situation stalling her husband’s ability to work and she says the Ordonez family is surviving on the charity of friends. She expresses her gratitude to those who have helped in the past but she doesn’t know what the future holds for her family.

Ordonez says the landlords are waiting for rent and she wonders what family can survive like this, with no support. She says the baby is due in a month and after that she and her husband will have to reevaluate with the expected bill from the hospital.

Meanwhile, the Minister Responsible for Immigration says government is committed to addressing the hurdles facing the Odonez family.

Minister Gerry Byrne spoke briefly with Lisa Odonez at a newcomer services fair held in St John’s on Thursday.

He tells VOCM News that part of her concerns are connected to federal departments but he hopes to find a solution that works for her circumstance so she isn’t left with a huge financial burden following the birth of her baby.

Byrne says his department looks at an individual’s details and he commits to providing a welcoming response because we are known for that in this province.