Abu Dhabi: The capital's first sextuplets have been offered free health insurance by the National Health Insurance Company (Daman) after a Gulf News article highlighted the family's plight in managing all six babies, the newspaper has learnt.
Gulf News was the first to report the case of three boys, Mohammad, Ahmad and Khalifa — and three girls Israa, Sara and Donia — who were born to Sayed Mohammad and Thuraya Foully. Mohammad earns just Dh2,000 a month as a driver.
Dr Michael Bitzer, Daman's CEO, said: "After reading about the case of the sextuplets in Gulf News, Daman reached out to help Mohammad's family and is delighted to confirm that it has secured health care insurance coverage ‘free of charge' for all six babies for one full year.
"On February 3, Daman issued insurance cards, upgraded as per the UAE plan, for each of the sextuplets."
The story also inspired Daman to offer newborns, whose mother is enrolled within Daman's Enhanced Plans (including the UAE, regional, international and global plans) to be enrolled free of charge under his/her mother's policy until its expiry.
The family has declined to be interviewed, but agreed that a spokesperson from Corniche Hospital (where the sextuplets were born and currently reside) speak on their behalf.
Ron Lavater, CEO of Corniche Hospital, said: "The sextuplets, born at Corniche Hospital on October 12, 2010, are currently at the hospital and doing well for now. They are ready to be discharged... but the family's economic condition has delayed this process.
"Thanks to Gulf News and the assistance of the community, the family has received generous donations, and the hospital wishes the family a healthy future."
According to the hospital, the family has so far received infant formula milk supply for one year, 1,500 diapers, donation from an Italian company to cover the expenses of the babies registration, residence, passport; donations from various members of the community and most importantly free accommodation offered to them by Shaikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman.
Mohammad and Thuraya are currently searching for appropriate accommodation. In an earlier interview, the couple said they look forward to enjoying their own bedroom and bathroom for the first time in years.
The couple previously lived in an old bedroom apartment with a shared bathroom that cost Dh1,500 — which left them with only Dh500.
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