Expats turn to charity to meet their hospital bills!

The health authorities hiked the fee for surgeries and deliveries by over 50 per cent, effective May 1.

Sources said charitable organisations had recorded considerable increase in the number of donation-seekers since the imposition of the new rates. An RAK-based branch of a national charity organisation has received seven applications from low income expatriate patients seeking financial help to undergo surgical operations.

The sources said they expect the figure to go up considerably in the coming days, which the organisations may not be able to handle. The NGOs have, subsequently, decided to tighten up the assessment process to ensure that only the financially weak get the benefits. They have also decided to extend assistance to the extent of only 50 per cent of the cost of surgery.