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28 March 2024

Dubai Filipino couple hold a premature baby + Dh100,000 bill

Published
By Majorie van Leijen

Little did they know that the delivery of their baby girl would lead to a chain of unanticipated and unfortunate events. After all, the baby was supposed to be born in the Philippines, under the caring eyes of friends and family.

Layla and her husband were blessed with a baby girl on October 19. She was born three months premature. When the first signs of labour surfaced, besides happiness panic struck the couple.

“I had no appointment for a delivery, no health insurance for a premature delivery and no plan,” said Layla. As the hospital that had given the diagnosis was unable to help the pregnant woman, the couple started hopping hospitals.

“We visited four hospitals that day, and all of them were fully booked. Meanwhile, I was in serious pain, and about to deliver. Yet, our only option was to go to Sharjah and try our luck there.”

The fourth hospital, Latifa hospital, also did not have any beds when the couple hopelessly knocked at its door. However, the hospital let them in.

“I think they may have realised that I could deliver on the road to Sharjah, so they made an exception and helped me deliver. That day, our baby girl was born.

The problems only began for the couple. After two weeks, the mother was discharged. But as with any premature birth, the infant required medical assistance if not monitoring. It was not until December 3 that the child her family. And with that came the medical bill: Dh104,159.85.

“We were shocked. We surely did not expect a bill that high. We cannot afford to pay such amount. My monthly salary is less than Dh7,000 and my husband earns just over Dh4,000. We are supporting two kids and parents in the Philippines,” said Laila.

The couple is not the first to tumble into the trap of delivering without an insurance plan. As most employees are insured by their employer, the coverage is often limited to a standard delivery. Possible complications that arise during or after the delivery are in many cases not covered by the plan.

As parents have no other choice other than to accept the medical assistance and hospital staff is often reluctant to turn a blind eye to the distressing situation, the neonatal care continues and the bill accumulates rapidly.

The Filipino couple admits to be happy that the newborn was discharged. “The hospital does not want to keep a child when it could admit another child.”

“However, that does not mean that we do not have to pay. They keep on reminding us of the outstanding bill. Whenever we say that we cannot afford it, they say that we have to pay. It is very frustrating.”

As a last resort, the couple has approached the Red Crescent Society, as recommended by Latifa Hospital. Their request for help is currently under review, and an answer will be provided in approximately three months.

The name of the mother is changed.

(Home page image courtesy Shutterstock)