Free healthcare system for premature new born

[brad010288]

Hello,

I'm a long time reader of the forum but I haven't yet post due to my poor English writing skills. So, I hope you will be comprehensive if I do some language mistakes in this message.

I need your help concerning the free healthcare system in Thailand for a premature new born.

My situation is as described below.

I'm in a relationship with a Thai lady since about 3 years. She was pregnant and it was planned to give birth to the child on August but our baby is born premature at 6 months and 2 weeks.

I wasn't in Thailand when the baby is born and my girlfriend gave birth to the child alone in her apartment (I was chatting with her on skype when it happened, I'm still shocked of what I saw).

Due to the situation, she called the emergencies who came too late. They bring her to the near government hospital with intensive care unit (ICU) for premature new born. My girlfriend had never been to this hospital before, who isn't in Bangkok (she lives in Bangna), but in Samut Prakan (Bangplee Hospital).

She told me she can't benefit of the free healthcare system for our baby because the hospital isn't in the same district, but in another city. An expat who live in Thailand since 20 years told me the opposite.

I would like to know who can I believe ?

In fact, I suspect my girlfriend to try to cheat me. Just a week ago, I went to Thailand for only 4 days (I'm out of money, I really need to work), in order to declare the baby at the Embassy and then, to get him to benefit of my health insurance (because I don't want to lose a million or so to pay the hospital ICU), but she refused to give me the birth certificate and she kicked me out of the apartment with the help of the security of the building. As a result, the baby isn't declared at the Embassy and now, I'm back home to work.

Furthermore, I have discovered she opened an account on a meeting website (Thai Friendly) and she has also started to chat with another man on skype.

But today, she asked me money to pay the hospital and told me the doctors will stop to care of my baby if she doesn't receive the money soon.

I'm really worry about my baby, I don't want him to die, but I really suspect her to just try to take more money from me. I'm pretty sure she want to break up with me (but I still don't understand why) and just want money right now.

Thanks for your help.

[Issangeorge]

First I believe that in an emergency situation any hospital will take you in and the government insurance will pay. Second are you sure it is your baby? If the baby was full term could you still be the father?

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 6 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited June 25, 2014 by Issangeorge

[Sheryl]

As above. In an emergency, can go to any government hospital and the hospitals will sort out the payment issue.

Do not give her any money. No government hospital will stop treatment on that ground.

And indeed, one does have to wonder if the baby is (a) yours ( still alive (did you actually see the baby?) and © if alive, was really that premature.

[brad010288]

Thank you for your replies

I think it is my baby, but I couldn't be 100% sure. When we went to a private hospital for prenatal care, the doctor told us (in English) that the birth was planned on mid-August, so if it is exact, he could only be my baby because I was on holidays with her on last November.

I saws the baby last week and again on Monday. Right now, he is only 1 kg and I still don't know if he will survive. I believe he is premature because he is so thin and he can't eat alone :'(

She named me on the Thai birth certificate (I saw it), but I think she didn't want I declare the baby at Embassy because she don't want the baby benefit my heath insurance and she want I give her more money. It is my feeling but I cannot be totally sure of it.

[Sheryl]

That sounds like a good guess.

If the baby weighs 1 kg then indeed was very premature. If he survives, there is a high chance of developmental abnormalities.

I suggest you contact a lawyer to help you get a copy of the birth certificate - since you are named on it, should be possible. You could try first on your own with the hospital but if that fails lawyer can help and also advise on how to ensure you have access to the child. The mother does not sound at all reliable.

Look for a lawyer skilled in family law - try our Family forum for suggestions (do a search for "lawyer").

Good luck.