Holiday horror in Turkey: alone in the hospital with a sick son!

Holiday horror in Turkey: alone in the hospital with a sick son!

Kay Bainbridge, a mother from Rainham, England, had been looking forward to a relaxing holiday in Turkey with her five-year-old son Layton. But the travel adventure took a dramatic turn when Layton woke up on May 20 with severe stomach pains and vomiting. However, at an emergency clinic in Istanbul, Kay was refused treatment unless she handed over all her cash. Layton's condition turned out to be serious: he suffered from a twisted intestine and had to have tissue removed.

The situation worsened for Kay, who was alone throughout the stay as her family had to leave early. Despite having existing insurance, you will initially have to bear the high costs of the treatment yourself. In her emergency, Kay turned to the public via the “Gofundme” donation platform and received more than 3,500 euros in support.

Shocking hospital conditions

Conditions at the first clinic were reportedly appalling. Kay said the food was inadequate and she felt intimidated by the staff. She received little information about her son's condition. After Layton was transferred to a private hospital in Alanya, it emerged that a possible faulty operation had been performed. A “fit-to-fly certificate” from the first hospital also turned out to be false.

Kay's troubles didn't stop there. Her passports temporarily disappeared, which made her return even more difficult. They only resurfaced after threats from the police. The situation improved noticeably in the new hospital, but the insurance company still asked her to stay in Turkey until May 31st - without accommodation or food. Kay faced the possibility of having to spend the night on the street or at the airport with her sick child if she had not received support from the donations.

The role of travel insurance

Kay's experiences highlight the importance of finding out about necessary insurance and its benefits before traveling. There may be problems with foreign health insurance in Turkey. Many customers report subsequent bills and ambiguous statements from their insurers. According to a report from ergo-reiseversicherung.de, it is recommended to contact the international health insurance emergency call center directly, especially for inpatient treatment. Ideally, this contact should take place before or at the latest after admission to a private clinic in order to receive support with further treatment steps.

Kay, who is now back home, has lodged a complaint with her insurance company but is unsure whether she will get the costs back. She emphasizes that it is not money that is important to her, but rather returning to her son in safety. Her story remains a strong reminder for travelers to seek comprehensive insurance coverage in a timely manner.

The West chronicles Kay Bainbridge's dramatic experiences in Turkey and the challenges travelers face during medical emergencies.

Additionally offers ergo-reiseversicherung.de Important information about medical care in Turkey and advises you to contact the emergency call center of the foreign health insurance company if you have health problems in order to ensure smooth treatment.