Skip to main content
Home The New Paper
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team

Popular

  • COURT & CRIME
  • Food & Drink
Singapore

Couple with Covid-19 make it back to Singapore via air ambulance

Couple with Covid-19 make it back to Singapore via air ambulance
Mr Rashid in the intensive care unit of the National Centre of Infectious Diseases, soon after arriving from Jakarta
Couple with Covid-19 make it back to Singapore via air ambulance
Mr Rashid and Madam Safiah were transferred from a land ambulance to an air ambulance to conveyed back to Singapore
Ng Wei Kai
Dec 21, 2020 06:00 am
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • 0 Engagements

Mr Abdul Rashid Sahari and his wife Safiah Rawi Abed had planned to fly home to Singapore this month from Jakarta, where Mr Rashid works, to celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary with their daughters and grandchildren.

Never did they expect to make the journey back separately - and by air ambulance.

The couple contracted Covid-19, with Mr Rashid, 64, becoming severely ill. Both were evacuated to Singapore on Dec 7 and Dec 8 for urgent medical treatment.

While Madam Safiah, 56, has recovered, Mr Rashid is still in intensive care at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases.

The couple's son-in-law, Mr Haikel Fahim, 34, told The Straits Times: "Despite him feeling really sick, he was not admitted to hospital when he went to the clinic in Jakarta on Dec 1."

Mr Rashid was eventually admitted to a private hospital in Jakarta on Dec 3, a week after he tested positive for the virus on Nov 27.

Local cluster linked to police para-vet as at Jan 18
Singapore

See a doctor if you're unwell, urge experts as cases go up

Jan 20, 2021

Related Stories

Four more community cases, including new local cluster

Most mutations do not affect virus activity: Expert

New test kit that detects Covid-19 and seasonal flu approved by HSA

"It was really stressful the first day my father-in-law was warded, because we couldn't get through to the hospital... or speak to the doctor in charge," said Mr Haikel, who works in public relations.

"We were also worried about my mother-in-law, who was Covid-19 positive and alone at home."

As Mr Rashid's condition worsened, the family had to make the snap decision to get him home.

The family eventually found Hope Ambulance, which was able to transport the couple using a private jet retrofitted with the appropriate medical equipment.

Mr Rashid was flown back on Dec 7, the day he was meant to fly back for his anniversary. Madam Safiah returned the next day, also in an air ambulance.

The family estimate that the cost of the evacuation and subsequent treatment is $85,000, with the air ambulance flights alone costing $67,000.

On a blog by Mr Haikel detailing the couple's experiences, the family made an appeal for funds to help cover the costs.

Since the blog went up on Dec 13, the family has raised more than $88,000. They said any excess amount will be donated to charity.

Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now

coronavirus

Ng Wei Kai

Read articles by Ng Wei Kai
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • E-mail this article
  • Newslink -  Purchase this article for republication

Top Stories this Month

Singapore

Mum killed in crash on way home to celebrate with son

Jan 19, 2021
ICA officers find contraband cigarettes in God of Fortune figurines
Singapore

Thousands of duty unpaid cigarettes found in CNY figurines on lorry: ICA

Jan 18, 2021
Collision with bike leaves girl, 8, needing eye surgery
Singapore

Collision with bike leaves girl, 8, needing eye surgery

Jan 18, 2021
Home
  • Contests
  • Coupon
  • Team
  • Home
  • News
    • Singapore
    • World
    • Business
    • Views
    • Backstage
    • Others
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Singapore Football
    • Team Singapore
    • School Sports
    • Athletics
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Racing
    • Others
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Music
    • TV
    • Star Style
    • School of Frock
  • Lifestyle
    • Makan
    • Hed Chef
    • Weets Eats
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
    • Biker Boy
    • Celeb Chow
    • Others
  • Racing
  • Your Tip-Offs
  • Read E-Paper
  • Contact TNP
  • About SPH
  • Privacy Statement
  • Data Protection Policy
  • Member Terms & Conditions
  • Website Terms & Conditions
SPH Digital News Copyright © 2021 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E