British woman battling ‘unknown illness’ in Turkey

The family of a British woman who collapsed from an unknown illness in Turkey are scrambling to cover her steep medical bills as she lies in critical condition in a Turkish hospital. Michaela Heathcote, a 41-yearold single mother, is facing hospital bills of 6,000 Turkish lira ($761) per day in a state hospital in the city of Fetiye, the Daily Mail newspaper reported on Monday. Her family in Britain are appealing for financial assistance through a GoFundMe page to help continue her lifesaving treatment. Heathcote flew to Turkey in September for an extended holiday and to view an apartment. She was prevented from boarding a flight home after airport authorities detected her unusually high temperature.

Her health deteriorated further by mid- September, and she was admitted to hospital on Oct. 1. Heathcote’s son Jordan said she is seriously ill and is now receiving life support.

Although the cause of her illness remains unknown, Jordan said she suffers from neurological disorders and depression.

Her family tried to bring her back to Britain by air ambulance, but were told by authorities that she was unfit to fly.

Jordan said he is unaware of the state of his mother’s health insurance, and she has faced problems with insurance policies in the past due to her disabilities.

“She was meant to be going to Turkey for a few days and was going to look at an apartment to see if she could rent it for a year,” he added.

“On the day she was coming back, she was turned back. They said her temperature was too high. “I’m not really sure what happened to her but she went on to become quite ill and was taken to hospital. Doctors are saying they are not sure what caused it. “She is currently intubated and unable to breathe without a life support machine in an intensive care unit. She is fighting for her life.”