Helping Hands: Family of premature newborn in desperate need

A Sudanese couple is struggling to pay medical bills after their child was born premature.

Yousif Ahmed, aged three months and 20 days, is the son of Ahmed Mohamed Yousif. His family faces a medical bill that they cannot afford, following the baby’s premature birth. Satish Kumar / The NationalShow less

An unwavering faith in the kindness and charity of the community helps Ahmed Yousif to sleep at night.

A few months ago, the Sudanese electrical engineer would not have imagined that he and his wife would soon have many restless nights.

Mr Yousif, who was raised in the UAE and graduated from Ajman University, had a job at a company in Dubai.

He had two daughters and his wife was pregnant with a boy. The couple thought life could not be better until Mrs Yousif went into labour at 24 weeks. A full-term pregnancy is about 38 weeks.

“They tried to delay the delivery as much as they could so the baby could survive,” said Mr Yousif, 37. “But she delivered a few days later, on June 16.”

The baby was placed in an intensive care incubator for three months. By the time he was discharged, the family’s hospital bill had reached Dh240,000.

“My wife’s health insurance didn’t cover maternity,” Mr Yousif said. “I paid additional for it to include maternity. Unfortunately, her health insurance came into effect right after she delivered. We had no idea that she would have the baby early”.

The hospital, Mr Yousif said, was “understanding and helpful. They asked me to put a cheque for the amount and they would release the baby.

“However, I had to find a way to pay the amount.”

Mr Yousif gave the hospital four postdated cheques and baby Yousif went home on September 10. The hospital gave Mr Yousif three months to settle the bill and advised him to seek the help of charitable organisations.

“They promised to give me some time and not to give the cheques to the police immediately, but I had to find a way to pay the money,” he said.

So far, only one charity has offered him assistance, giving him Dh8,000.

“I gave the money to the hospital and I am hopeful that I will get help. People in the UAE are very generous and kind. I know it’s a big amount but there is nothing I could have done.”

But his wife is not as optimistic.

“These cheques are threatening our future,” she said.

“We don’t feel secure.”

If Mr Yousif is unable to pay the hospital fees, he will be arrested and deported.

“I came to the UAE when I was 2 years old, so I’ve lived my entire life in the UAE and I feel like it is my home country. All my children were born and raised here,” he said.

“Me and my wife and kids plan to spend our entire lives here. I don’t know how this will be possible if we go to prison. All our lives will be destroyed.”

Baby Yousif continues to require medical follow-up due to birth complications.

“Unfortunately, Mr Yousif did not to get to enjoy the happiness that comes with having a newborn child,” said Hisham Al Zahrani, manager of Zakat and Social Services at Dar Al Ber.

“He was burdened with high hospital costs that he cannot afford. He is worried that at any moment he will be jailed and deported. Such a move will not only be difficult for Mr Yousif but for the entire family who has lived and plan to continue living in the UAE.”