Hospital Owner Allows Discharge Of NICU Baby Even If Her Parents Can’t Afford The Bill

In a world of wars, chaos, and dilemmas, it’s amazing to know that there are still good-hearted people who deserve a shout out. One private hospital owner in the Philippines allowed the discharge of a baby from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) even if her parents can’t afford the more than Php100,000 bill ($2,000).

Mitzi Gonzales Valentino gave birth to her third baby Summer after 14 hours of painful and grueling labor at a public hospital. Things went well but when she gave birth to her baby, the doctor found out that Summer suffered from Meconium Aspiration Pneumonia – Sepsis.

The baby suffered from Meconium aspiration pneumonia

Meconium aspiration pneumonia or Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) happens when a newborn baby inhales or aspirates the amniotic fluid stained with meconium or baby feces. This is a life-threatening condition. It usually occurs when the baby becomes stressed during labor.

Since the hospital they were staying in doesn’t have the equipment Summer needed, they needed to transfer her to a bigger private facility. The health workers informed Mitzi that it’s more expensive in the private hospital but she agreed despite not having the adequate amount of cash to save her baby’s life.

Summer in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Summer was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a private hospital. Days passed by and their hospital bill reached a staggering Php100,000 ($2,000). If they would stay in that hospital, who knows how high the bill would reach?

Summer's hospital bill

The couple decided to transfer Summer to a public hospital. Despite the need to rent a ventilator amounting to P12,600 ($250) per week, the overall cost will still be lower than staying in a private hospital.

The couple needed to transfer Summer to a government hospital.

However, the staff informed them that they couldn’t transfer Summer if they can’t pay all of the hospital bills. With hardly cash on them, they met with one of the owners of the hospital in the canteen.

The hospital owner

Mitzi pleaded for help, and without thinking twice, the hospital owner allowed Summer’s discharge and transfer to another hospital without paying a single cent. He told the staff to allow the patient to leave with just a promissory note, promising to pay the bill when they’re already able to.

Their predicament didn’t end there. They still need to pay for the ventilator rental fee in the hospital they transferred to. However, help from various individuals, some of them the couple do not know, poured in because of Mitzi’s Facebook post asking for help.

Eventually, Summer recovered, and today, she’s a healthy and happy baby, thanks to the hospital owner and others who one way or another have helped the family.

In this world, there are still people who have pure hearts and who are willing to help those in need. The family is very blessed and they’re now enjoying every moment with the beautiful Baby Summer.

Summer is healthy and happy today!

What do you think of the hospital owner’s decision to allow the baby’s discharge? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.