Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder caused by the obstruction of the upper airway resulting in repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep. While patients often remain unaware of their condition, their overall wellbeing can decrease over time.
Initially admitted into NUH due to shortness of breath, 34 year-old Kim Huat* was eventually diagnosed with having obstructive sleep apnea. His doctor advised him to get a Continous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine for his long-term respiratory support, without which he would continue to be admitted to hospital frequently due to breathlessness and fatigue. For most people, the logical thing to do would be to purchase the CPAP machine and put an end to one’s breathing difficulties. For Kim Huat however, this was not the case.
Kim Huat, a divorcee, lives with his eldest daughter, parents, a brother and a sister in a rented HDB flat. He was previously employed as a security guard, but health issues and his divorce eventually led to him quitting his job. After being unemployed for eight months, he finally found a job as a cleaner where he earns $800 a month. As the sole breadwinner in his family, this amount is barely enough to cover the family’s living expenses, much less afford the CPAP machine.
Fortunately for Kim Huat, he was literally given a new breath of life when the NUH PCF stepped in and helped to pay for his new CPAP machine which cost $2,500.
*Name has been changed for patient confidentiality |
