RIYADH, 30 July 2006 — An Indian father is soliciting contributions from charitable-minded Saudis and expatriates to help him release his baby from the Riyadh Medical Complex (formerly Shumaisy Hospital), since he is unable to foot the outstanding bill of SR47,000.
“My wife delivered twins. Unfortunately, only one of them survived. Because he had a premature birth, he was kept in the incubator, for which the fee comes to SR750 daily,” Prasad, the baby’s father, told Arab News.
He said that in response to his appeal, a Riyadh-based polyclinic and a charitable organization raised funds, which still leaves a shortfall of SR14,000. “I am an electrician and my wife, Reena Koshi, is a nurse. We are unable to raise the balance with our meager income,” Prasad said, adding that the hospital admitted his wife because it was an emergency case.
Prospective donors have been requested to contact the pediatric department of the Riyadh Medical Complex for making any contribution toward the settlement of the outstanding bill.
Prasad, who hails from southern India, has been residing in Riyadh for the last four years. This was his wife’s first delivery. The Indian expatriate said he was counting on the spirit of generosity among Saudis and expatriates who have pitched in with contributions in the past for any noble cause.
