I am writing to you hoping that I could relate my experience with fellow readers.
Responding to government call for fertility rate, my spouse and I were making plans and preparing for our baby since late last year.
Her expected delivery will be due on late May 2014. But an unforeseen event unfold on 01/03/2014. The unforgettable day was the hardest moments in my life as the scenes enact and relate to movie scene as I waited patiently outside the operating ward for every minute to pass by. The longest waiting period ever.
Finally after 1.5 hours, both my spouse and my baby are safe and sound. But happy moments lasted for microseconds.
The pediatrician and gynaecologist both delivered a strong message that my baby hospitalized bill will be in the range of $100k or more over a period of two months stay. This had once again sank my heart for an average income Singaporean to accept this hard fact.
Packing up my emotions and feelings for a long journey ahead, I pray for a better solution within my razor thin savings.
The next day morning, i was shocked and alarmed to read that the private hospital immediately sent a text message on my mobile demanding for bill payment till date. It was only a day after the incident.
Being desperate, I tried all channels seeking advice over the next few days from CPF board, insurance companies, government hospitals and relevant private hospital officer but were turned down immediately stating that the baby will not be covered for the full hospital stay and lack of neonatal ICU ward in government hospitals.
The escalating bill traumatized me, unable to sleep well and low concentration at work. Haunting by the "gentle reminders" by the private hospital, I was forced to stretch and exceed all my credit cards limit on a regular basis of minimum $5000.00 payment every three days. The total bill over a short ten days stay snowball to over $40k.
Exhausted and lethargic, everyday seems quick to pass with low fighting spirit over the expected deadline of credit card payment and the already mounting high hospitalization bill.
The episode had yet to cease with near to zero resolution and depleted all my energy to seek monetary funds and channels for debts payment.
I sincerely hope that any government authority would be kind enough to assist me out of this crisis financially and morally. Carrying the only diminishing hope of survival will rest on the speedy recovery of both my spouse and baby.