An elderly Malaysian man has racked up an eye-watering hospital bill of RM800,000 (US$200,000) after needing to receive emergency surgery and intensive care while vacationing in South Korea.
Eighty-one-year-old A. Manaf Mohd Noh, recently widowed after nursing his dear wife, who died in November of last year from Parkinson’s disease, had been taken on the trip by his family members in an attempt to give him a little cheer.
Unfortunately, shortly after arriving, Manaf began to feel ill, and had to be hospitalized. He had no insurance, with a family member explaining that his coverage expired after his 79th birthday.
Doctors soon discovered that Manaf was at death’s doorstep, with a dissected aorta. The serious condition means that the inner layer of the large blood vessel in the heart had detached itself.
Over 40% of those who are stricken with the condition will die before making it to the hospital in time.
Considering the severity of the condition, doctors chose to operate on the elderly gentleman, and Manaf’s son, Mahfiz, says that this surgery alone was RM350,000 (US$86,000). The operation was not without complications, and medical experts soon discovered that Manaf’s veins were also bleeding. A second surgery was required.
Miraculously, considering his age and state, Manaf has responded well to treatment, and is recovering in the intensive care unit of Gangnam Severance Hospital.
Mahfiz tried to negotiate with the hospital, telling them the family could only afford to pay a quarter of the bill; however, the hospital told him that they would not release his father until full payment was made.
The family is currently seeking donations from the public to help cover the costs of bringing Manaf home, and continue his treatment in Malaysia. The campaign is seeking US$100,000 to supplement the family’s pooled funds, and has raised over US$20,000 so far.
If you would like to donate, you can do so here.
