A holiday turns into a nightmare: a British pensioner is held “trapped” in a Turkish hospital until his treatment costs of 47,000 euros are paid.
A British pensioner is apparently being held in a Turkish hospital, with his family accusing the hospital of holding him “hostage” until his treatment costs are paid.
As the Daily Mail reports, Malcolm S. (68) fell ill with pneumonia during his vacation in Icmeler and fell into a coma. The hospital treating him, the Ahu Hospital in Marmaris, is charging 41,000 pounds (around 47,000 euros) for the almost month-long intensive care treatment, according to the report.
The pensioner had not taken out health insurance before his holiday. According to his daughter Emma-Jane, he had made the trip despite having a number of pre-existing medical conditions because he had been refused insurance. “It is simply heartbreaking to see my father lying so helpless in hospital,” she told the Daily Mail.
According to Emma-Jane, the hospital is demanding that the family pay £20,000 immediately before discharging her father. The hospital is also holding onto the pensioner’s passport and refusing to return it until the bill is paid.
Hospital officials told the Daily Mail that the pensioner had already racked up a bill of £41,000.
The family contacted the British Embassy in Turkey and were advised to set up a gofoundme page to fund a medical evacuation flight. Emma-Jane and her older sister Kerry-Ann have set up the fundraising page and hope to raise enough money for the return flight, which could cost a further £20,000.
Moment of shock at the football festival: Police officers shot down an armed attacker on Hamburg’s Reeperbahn. The situation is secure, the background is still unclear.
Stephanie was on holiday with her family in Spain. Shortly before her return flight she was shocked: she urgently needed brain surgery.
