Family with premature twins still struggling

Dubai: The family of two prematurely-born babies is continuing their struggle to find money to settle their hospital bills as the twins are still in the neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital.

One of the twins recently underwent a heart surgery and may require another surgery for her throat too, the parents said.

Gulf News had earlier reported that the Indian family is facing hefty hospital bills after the mother gave birth to a boy and girl, at 25 weeks of pregnancy, at Dubai Hospital.

The family already owes over Dh450,000 to the hospital for keeping the babies in the neonatal intensive care unit from November 26. At Dh3,800 per baby per day, excluding the cost of medicines, the family could face a total bill of Dh600,000 to Dh800,000, they said, as doctors anticipate the babies to be in the hospital for three to four months.

Throat swollen

"We are not sure about what could be done. Although we informed the hospital that we cannot afford to pay up and requested the hospital to give us some consideration, the hospital asked us to approach charity organisations for help," Khawaja Mohi Al Deen, the father, said.

"My baby girl underwent a heart surgery during the last week of December and she is doing better. But her throat is swollen due to the tubes attached to her and she may require another surgery.

"Our future is uncertain since the bill amount is way beyond our means," said the father, who runs a web development company.

The mother Shaista Mohi Al Deen was expected to fly to India for her delivery, along with her five-year-old son, when the unexpected turn of events happened and she delivered the babies prematurely on November 26.

The family has approached several charity organisations, but unless they get the final bill they will not be able to proceed further, he said. "Until my babies are discharged from the hospital, it is all very uncertain."

Support

Following the Gulf News report, many readers came forward offering help including businessmen, doctors and others.

"People called and offered their support from prayers to monetary help. But unless the hospital agrees to bring down the bills, our issue still remains," the father said.

In December, the Dubai Hospital management said the condition of the twins is critical, adding that mortality rate is very high for such babies.