A Malaysian couple visiting the UK has found themselves with a huge hospital bill, after the wife delivered her baby prematurely while the couple were there.
Medical bills for Dr Irina Ishak, a Kuala Lumpur surgeon, and her engineer husband have reached an eye-watering RM500,000 (US$120,000). She went into labor ten weeks early, despite being given travel clearance to visit her sister in Oxford.
Amin Mikael, her infant, is still not out of the woods yet. Free Malaysia Today reports that he is still in the high dependency unit, and will be there for a further two weeks.
Doctors from the state-run National Health Service have explained to the couple that as non-resident visitors, they are being charged 150% of the standard rate. This includes RM11,360 (US$2,700) per diem rate just to be in the hospital’s neo natal intensive care unit, not including other treatments.
The couple initially thought they could cover the expenses themselves; however, it soon became apparent that their savings could not cover the total bill.
Doctors have recommended that baby Amin Mikael stay in hospital until he is full-term, which is 38-40 weeks. He was born at only 30 weeks.
Dr Ishak and her husband were quick to praise UK doctors for their hard work, support and world class treatment.
They have set up a Go Fund Me page to help cover part of their medical expenses. You can donate here if you’d like to help the couple.
