DUBAI The mother of a prematurely born Filipino baby is desperate to clear a hospital bill of over Dh138,000 as the prospect of a bounced security cheque stares her in the face.
Dubai-based Lorie Relano, 35, told XPRESS that Luke, her second child, was born ahead of his term in the 28th week of gestation when her blood pressure spiked and she developed complications.
“I was doing just fine but seven months into my pregnancy, my blood pressure shot up to an abnormal level. My husband rushed me to three private hospitals but they refused to accept me on the ground that I was a high risk patient or that they did not have an NICU facility. I almost lost my life and that of my son, but thankfully Latifa Hospital admitted me and managed to save our lives.”
She said she gave birth to Luke on November 12 through a C-section. “He weighed just 900 grams. He suffered from respiratory distress syndrome and needed incubation and oxygen support. He battled it out for over seven weeks and was ready for discharge on December 28 when his weight reached 1.7 kg. By this time, I owed the hospital Dh138,546 and had to leave a security cheque with them to take Luke home.”
Lorie said her ordeal was far from over. On January 12, the baby went pale again and had to be rushed to Emergency again. “He was diagnosed with pneumonia and had to undergo further treatment.”
Although Luke is back home now, Lorie said the unpaid hospital bills are weighing her down. “I do not have money in the bank to pay. My husband and I together earn Dh9,000 a month but that is barely enough to pay off our loans, house rent and services of a baby sitter for our first child. With difficulty, we might be able to pay up to Dh1,000 a month but that will take ages to clear the dues,” said Lorie, who works in the accounts department of a private firm.
She said her fears of violating the law were growing with every passing day. “I appeal for help to clear the hospital bill.”
If you wish to help the family, please write to editor@xpress4me.com
