Dubai - 'The total bill is Dh250,000, but can mount to Dh600,000 as babies are still in incubator'
Published: Fri 17 Jul 2020, 7:45 PM
The UAE community has come forward to help a Dubai couple facing Dh600,000 in hospital bills after having quadruplets.
Help poured in for Nigerian couple Suliyac Abdulkareem, 29, and Cijani Adigun Shakiru,33 after Khaleej Times reported on the plight of the new parents.
Suliyac, who does not have medical insurance, could not find a repatriation flight back home before the delivery date and got saddled with debts.
Abdul Hakeem Anifowoshe, a Nigerian national, who was coordinating to help the couple, said they have raised Dh30,000 towards the medical bills through generous donations from Nigerian expats as well as other communities.
"We have also raised Dh10,000 to help the family with their future expenses," he said.
But the expenses are still mounting as the babies - two boys and two girls - are still in incubation.
"The total bill as of July 14 is Dh250,000. But the babies have to be in incubator for another seven weeks and the bills will mount to Dh600,000 if not more, said Anifowoshe adding that they are negotiating with the hospital.
"We are doing our best. The Nigerian consulate is also helping us with the administrative tasks.
"The mother was discharged on July 14, and while the babies are in good health, they are still in incubators," Anifowoshe told Khaleej Times.
Meanwhile Shakiru, who earns Dh3,000 as a chef in Dubai, said he is grateful for all the help.
"We are moving to a new apartment in Sports City thanks to a Khaleej Times reader. The Portuguese national has offered the apartment for free for three months," said Shakiru.
"I have no words to thank everyone who has stepped in to help us. I do not know what the future holds for us, but I am optimistic," said the father.
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