For a parent, nothing can be more distressing than seeing one’s child fall ill. Added to that, the knowledge that one is unable to provide the necessary healthcare to treat your child and lessen his discomfort and pain can be heartbreaking. Mrs Tan*, is no stranger to this heartbreak.
Mrs Tan is separated from her abusive husband and is now a single mother who struggles to care for her two young daughters. Her oldest daughter, Serena* suffers from asthma and requires long-term medical treatment. To add to her distress, her youngest child suffers from a congenital heart condition and underwent a major heart operation in 2006 when she was only 6 months old. She is now receiving active follow up at KKWCH and attends full-time childcare.
In order to care for Serena and her younger sister, Mrs Tan works part-time as a healthcare assistant at TTSH. However, her meager salary of $760 and the monthly maintenance of $400 which she receives from her ex-husband is insufficient to cover her daughters’ monthly medical fees and childcare bills. In desperation, Mrs Lim appealed to both the NUH and KKWCH for interim financial help.
Today, the NUH PCF subsidizes 90% of Serena’s medical bills, which amounts to $328.50 every month. While this amount may be insignificant to many, it has provided Mrs Lim with a much needed reprieve as she continues to care and provide for her daughters to the best of her ability.
*Name has been changed for patient confidentiality |
