my maid contacted tuberculosis

[babana]

Just to update on my maid case, I sent my PHIL maid to CGH. I later realised that TB is NOT covered under the usual maid insurance bought from agency!! I have to pay 100% of the medical bills, under NON-Subsided rates...


During the hospitalization period, doctors refused to discharge her, and I cannot send her back, with the bills adding on daily...and many tests ongoing daily....it was a agonizing. So, for the 14 days period, the total bill was around $8000.

After the ordeal, my family has to go TBCU to go through tests and x-rays, and my daughter has to undergo antibiotics for 9 months, with regular check up...haiz....

The lesson:
1. don't overlook persistent cough of your maid....
2. Buy additional health insurance for your maid, which cost $100+ per yr from NTUC
3. Go TTSH if you suspect your maid is suffering from TB, as I gathered it is much much less expensive.

TBCU follow up for my family was fully subsided, no need to pay...but I hope I do not need to visit there again....

Employers, be more alert, and be more prepared!!

:imcool:

[MrsSeah]

$8000!!! faint

[POA Teacher]

Were your maids ( who contracted TB), new arrivals or were they here for sometime already?

[chixchix]

My maid is a fresh one, the moment she joined us 4 months ago ,she is always coughing…we keep telling her to cover her mouth but she doesnt. I ahve brought her to the GP thrice, got different medicines and her did X ray but it was clean. How do we know whether she is having some issues ?

[nancy27sg]

My new Maid reached Singapore. First time to Singapore so she took 1 day Settling-In Programme (SIP) course. I took her to SATA for full medical test. I am recruiting directly based on friends referral.

SATA test revile exr: fibrosis/scarring in Right Middle Zone
Provisional Diagnosis ? pTB
Please advise if she has active ptb.
her Lungs are clear, heart is not enlarged.
She do not have any history of illness or persistent cough

Now she is referred to TTSH.

I took insurance coverage from the day she lands in Singapore required by MOM from etiqa.

1) Does insurance covers?
2) What will be the approximate expenses at TTSH?
3) What are the common tests done at TTSH?

Immediately Maid called her family and they checked with doctor at her home country. According to her home country doctor, their state is endemic to TB. so most of the people would have this symptom and it is not Active TB. So X ray we will notice these changes but nothing to worry.

Now I have to decide between
Send her to TTSH for Diagnosis and incur all expenses.
or
Send her back home.

I feel but uneasy as it hurts her if I send her back if really no issues.

anyone experienced before with your Maid? What are the expenses at TTH for Diagnosis?


Thanks

[Grr_roxy]

Hi Nancy27sg,


Have to prepare the worst. I had an ex-maid who wanted to return to work for me after 2 years later also had similar encounter. When you bring to TTSH to check, doctor see the cloudy shadow on the lungs, immediately maid will have to start taking TB medications. I last recalled that TB cannot be determined immediately or within a short period of time. So long as it is a suspected case, you had to start taking medications. And no, you cannot claim anything from insurance. I think I spent a few hundreds taking her to TTSH. Everything is at full price, no subsidies. Maid need to go to either TTSH or Polyclinic everyday to take medication. Doc did mention that upon taking medication, TB would not be contagious. However, after actual TB report is out ie. few months later and maid is confirmed of having TB, those people whom maid is in contact will have to be called back for TB check.
When we think of all those risks plus my kids were still young, you definitely would not want keep the maid. It was painful I know and my ex-maid was really good. But you wouldn’t want to risk your kids taking those TB medications for at least 6 month and the medications are very strong and may harm the kidneys.

[nancy27sg]

Thank you Grr_roxy


Appreciate.

I thought I will take her to TTSH. Get first consultation done.

If no issues at least she will be loyal to me and appreciate.She may be thankful to me for the care I extended. I will save all future headache of getting another maid and start the process all over again.

If any issues, I will send her back. I will not feel guilty because as a Human I did what is with in my limit.

Since her lungs are clear I hope no issues.