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Dubai father struggles with Dh114,000 hospital bill
Dubai - Born eight weeks premature, baby Muhammad Ayaan and baby Muhammad Shayaan were kept under observation for at least a month.
| Baby Ayaan Health card - 105331295 Outstanding: Dh31,377 Baby Shayaan Health card: 105331589 Outstanding: Dh83,568 Note: If you would like to contact the father, please email kelly@khaleejtimes.com for more details. |
Left with an outstanding hospital bill totaling Dh114,000, what should have been a joyous moment was left bitter-sweet for Muhammad Ashfaq and his wife, Shanin.
"My wife underwent an emergency delivery at Latifa Hospital and the boys were eight weeks premature. As a result they were kept in NICU; one for four weeks and one for six weeks," he told Khaleej Times.
At that time, baby Muhammad Ayaan weighed 1.74kg and baby Muhammad Shayaan was just 1.06kg.
Working as a delivery boy in Dubai for 12 years, Ashfaq -- who also has a 6-year-old daughter -- was originally left with a bill amounting to Dh178,843.
But with the help of friends, family "and even strangers", the couple was able to settle more than Dh64,000 just months after the boys birth on December 24, 2014.
However, nearly two years on, the bill still looms.
"It was such a happy day seeing my boys being born but because they were so premature, we were worried for their health. On top of that I was worried about the hospitals costs."
After spending a total of six weeks in incubators, Muhammad Ayaan and Muhammad Shayaan finally got the chance to enjoy home-life with their family.
But with the regular cost of having a baby -- or twins in this case -- already high, the added pressure has left a grey shadow on fatherhood for Ashfaq.
"The mounting pressure from the hospital is now taking its toll," he said.
After Khaleej Times reviewed the hospital paperwork from back in December 2014 and early 2015, it shows baby Ayaan has an outstanding bill of Dh31,377, and baby Shayaan (who spent six weeks in NICU) a bill of Dh83,568.
"I gave the hospital about five cheques when we finally left in February 2015, some of which have cleared, but I'm now on my last warning. Time is running out," a tearful Ashfaq said.
Now 20-months-old, the boys are doing well.
Despite his financial difficulties he has been left in, Ashfaq has nothing but praise for the staff at the hospital.
"It was not our choice for the babies to start their life this way, but the hospital staff made sure they came out fighting."
Earning a monthly salary of Dh4,500 at that time, which has since risen to Dh5,300, he did admit he feels he is letting his family down as it isn't enough to settle the debts.
"My main job in life is not a delivery boy, it is to support my family. I am putting pressure on them and I don't want to lose my job."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com
Note: If you would like to contact the father, please email kelly@khaleejtimes.com for more details.
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