Tang shows photos of her son, taken during his first week at the hospital in Manila. The single mother is accompanied by Ting during the press conference in Miri.
MIRI (June 28): A 61-year-old single mother here is appealing to all for financial assistance to cover the medical bill for her son, who is currently receiving Covid-19 treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Manila, the Philippines.
Tang Shiau Yien said her 34-year-old first-born Billy Chai had been in the ICU since June 21.
“My son needs another four treatment sessions, where each session costs about RM50,000,” said Tang in a press conference at Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Piasau branch office here on Sunday where Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting, who is Piasau assemblyman, was also present.
She said Chai – an architect by profession – went to the Philippines on July 1, 2019, following a job offer from a construction company in the country.
“My son told me that he had developed high fever after receiving the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on June 13.
“Then on June 16, he was admitted to the hospital for further treatment,” she said.
Tang said for the first treatment, covering from the day of admission to the hospital up till June 21, her son had utilised the company’s medical benefit amounting US$40,000 (RM166,240).
Tang pointed out that Chai’s personal assistant had informed her that he (Chai) must pay the remaining fees on his own.
“The next medical bill of RM50,000 is due tomorrow (June 28),” said Tang, adding that she already made arrangements with her other children to settle Chai’s medical fee.
However, she said her family could only afford to pay for the first session treatment and thus, she appealed to members of the public for help.
“If the doctor could confirm that my son would be fit to fly back, I hope that the Embassy of Malaysia in the Philippines could make a flight arrangement for him to return to Miri from Manila,” said Tang.
Meanwhile, Ting said he had already contacted a friend in Manila to seek the best ways to assist Chai, who is still being treated in the ICU.
Those wishing to help Tang and her son could contact SUPP Piasau office via 085-423 399 – the line is open during regular office hours, Mondays to Fridays.