Triple joy dampened by hospital charges
Premature triplet boys’ ICU stay leads to Dh116,000 bill
ABU DHABI // A father’s joy at the birth of his triplet sons has been overshadowed by a Dh116,000 hospital bill. Ivan, Adam and Yousif were born prematurely and had to spend more than two weeks in intensive care. “Throughout the pregnancy my wife and I were worried about how we would pay the hospital bills and afford to take care of triplets,” said S K, the Iraqi father.
At one point doctors at a private clinic suggested that the family abort one of the babies.
“That wasn’t even an option for me,” S K said. “I would never get rid of one of the babies. They are a blessing from God.”
Other doctors suggested that it would be best if his wife deliv- ered in their home country, Iraq.
“Being pregnant with triplets, she wasn’t allowed on a plane,” he said. “I had no other option.”
The father’s insurance does not cover his dependants.
He earns Dh10,000 a month and has been working for a government ministry in Dubai for more than 10 years.
“I thought that I would manage to pay the delivery charges by borrowing from friends or taking out a loan,” he said, although he did not anticipate that the boys would be in ICU for so long. “We were shocked and no one could lend us even half that amount.
“I can’t describe how it feels. We were so happy and grateful that all three were healthy and coming home, but that debt is hanging over us. I don’t know what to do.
“The cheque is blank and I am grateful the hospital hasn’t submitted it to the police yet, but how long will they wait?”
He said the hospital would not accept instalments and asked that the amount be paid in full. “S K needs Dh116,000 so he can pay off his debt and focus on caring for his family,” said Hisham Al Zahrani, manager of Zakat and Social Services at Dar Al Ber.
To help S K, call the hotline on 0502955999, or send a WhatsApp message to the same number. Donations can be made by depositing money in Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank account, Iban number AE9805 000 000 000 11530734 or Dubai Islamic Bank account, Iban number AE8002 4000 352 0443 1952 01.