Dubai: A Pakistani couple living in Ras Al Khaimah is seeking financial help to settle a mounting hospital bill at Dubai Hospital for their premature newborn.
Mohammad Ebrahim was born on July 31, eight weeks before full term, after his mother Fasiha Shah developed complications. He weighed just over 800 grams and had to be put on an incubator for intensive post-natal treatment.
“My blood pressure touched 200/131 and I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. My platelet count started dropping and the doctors said I could start bleeding soon, posing a risk to the baby. A cesarian was performed and my son was delivered premature.”
Doctors at Dubai Hospital have told Fasiha and her husband, Shahid Ali that baby Mohammad needs to be kept in special post-natal care for at least two months. “The doctors will not discharge him unless he gains around two kilos weight. Even after that, they have to assess his condition before allowing him to be taken home. But then our hospital bills are mounting. I have no clue how I’m going to settle it,” she said.
Fasiha works as a pharmaceutical teacher at the Ras Al Khaimah Medical University, earning Dh10,000 per month. Though she has medical insurance, it does not cover maternity costs. Her husband has been without a job since 2008 and Fasiha is the sole breadwinner in the family.
“The hospital is charging us Dh3,900 a day. By the time Mohammad gets discharged, our bill could be more than Dh200,000. I am praying for a miracle,” said Fasiha.
If you wish to help Mohammad, write to editor@xpress4me.com
