Being away from family and performing menial tasks every day is already challenging enough for any domestic helper.
Falling sick, especially with a rare illness, would be the last thing they’d want, but that was the unfortunate fate that befell Siti Sariyah.
In the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a month now, her rising hospital bills have exceeded $100,000.
In a tear-jerking video on GIVE.asia’s Facebook page, her employer’s daughter-in-law explained that Siti had been complaining about headaches some time in early Feb.
She also complained of fatigue, and came down with a fever which lasted for 3 to 4 days.
On 7 Feb, her employer heard a loud “thud” and came rushing to check on Siti, who had collapsed and was having a seizure. Her eyes had also rolled upwards.
The anxious family immediately sent her to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
After running multiple tests which included an MRI scan and lumbar puncture spine test, doctors still couldn’t identify the root cause of her autoimmune brain inflammation.
The only thing they know is that it’s “extremely rare”, affecting only 2 to 3 people each year.
Siti, who still experiences seizures, is now on 7 medications to suppress them.
She has been relying on a breathing aid while in the ICU for a month, as of today (8 Mar).
Her ongoing treatment has caused Siti to rake over $100,000 in hospital bills, which is far beyond what her employers can afford.
Insurance only covers $15,000, and they need a lot more money.
Thankfully, the good folks at GIVE.asia started a fundraising campaign, which has raised over $75,000 as of the time of writing.
Fellow domestic helpers have also chipped in to help, donating generous portions of their salaries.
Though the money will go to Siti’s hospital bills, GIVE.asia stated that any excess will help cover air ambulance costs to bring her back to Indonesia, and help her family care for her.
Keen donors can contact her employer Mr Ibrohim via his Instagram @ibrokar for more information.
While the kind donations will certainly help relieve costs, Siti will still need more to cover her ongoing treatment.
She has to remain in the ICU here, but doctors suggest sending her for further treatment in an Indonesian hospital once her condition stabilises.
At least she can be closer to her 2 young sons and husband there.
Forking out so much money to pay for someone else’s medical treatment may seem like a tall order, but for Siti who is considered family to her employers, it’s only right.
We hope that they’ll get the help that they need to assist in Siti’s recovery, and reunite her with her family back home.
If you’d like to donate, you can visit the GIVE.asia link here.
Featured image adapted from GIVE.asia.
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