Singaporean family crowdfunds online to cover medical expenses of maid with rare disease

When an Indonesian maid became suddenly struck with a rare disease, her Singaporean employer's family turned to the online community to seek help to cover the costs of her medical expenses and her flight back home.

The employer's daughter started a page on crowdfunding website Give Asia on Monday (June 20) explaining that the 31-year-old maid, only known as Titin, had worked for them for the past 12 years.

Their troubles began when Titin was admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital on June 10 with swollen eyes and a high fever.

Days later, her condition worsened and her throat, mouth, and lips became covered in ulcers.

According to the page which was started by a Jobina Tan, Titin has been spitting out blood and is unable to speak.

Skin has also been peeling from different parts of her body.

Ms Tan wrote: "Doctors are not able to diagnose the cause of her condition and only suspect it to be a rare disease of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Nerolysis.

"She is currently in a very critical condition and as you are reading this now, her condition is worsening."

As of Tuesday (June 21) evening, 78 donors have donated more than $7,900 through the website.

Ms Tan claims that doctors have advised them to send Titin back to Indonesia, a request the maid has also made.

Speaking to Chinese evening newspaper Lianhe Wanbao, Titin's employer who is only known as Madam Fang said she would like to thank netizens for their generosity and willingness to help a stranger.

Madam Fang said: "Her condition is currently unstable. We don't know how much medications will cost altogether.

"But because funds were raised by netizens, we will leave it up to her (Titin) to decide how she wants to spend it."

Madam Fang said that Titin's condition has improved slightly - she is able to utter a few words and her eyes are less swollen.

A number of medical specialists have also seen Titin since news broke of their plight, added the report.

sujint@sph.com.sg