A 24-week premature infant in Singapore has spent more than 200 days in the NICU as her parents face an estimated S$802,000 in medical costs without any healthcare subsidies.
Baby Giana was born on 14 August 2025 at 3.19 PM, weighing 530 grams, after her mother developed severe hypertension that progressed into preeclampsia. Her liver began to fail and her platelet count dropped, leading doctors to decide on an emergency delivery.
Before the complications emerged, the parents had planned to return to the Philippines once the mother was approved to work from home. They intended for the birth to take place in the Philippines where medical costs are significantly lower and where family support would be readily available.
The sudden onset of hypertension disrupted those plans. One night, the pregnant mother was unable to sleep due to elevated blood pressure and went to the hospital for assessment. It was there that doctors determined the situation required urgent intervention and induced childbirth.
Giana remains in the NICU at KKH Children’s Tower. Machines support her breathing and tubes assist with feeding. She now weighs 2.10 kilograms and is using mask ventilation as she slowly learns to breathe on her own.
She continues to be monitored for Stage 2 Retinopathy of Prematurity after the affected area progressed from Zone 1 to Zone 2. Her feeds have increased from 24 ml to 28 ml and she receives three formula feeds daily. She also has a small umbilical hernia expected to close naturally.
The financial strain on the family is substantial. Singapore’s healthcare system offers extensive subsidies for citizens and partial subsidies for permanent residents, but migrant workers on employment passes and work permits do not receive these benefits.
The OFW parents therefore bear the full cost of childbirth and the child’s prolonged NICU stay. Standard health insurance packages typically exclude childbirth expenses and do not cover NICU costs for premature infants, leaving families to handle these large bills on their own.
Fundraising is being conducted through Give.Asia, which manages the donations and pays the hospital directly. The campaign is structured in S$100,250 tiers to support different stages of Giana’s ongoing care. Messages from donors continue to appear on the page. One wrote, “My child was born premature 19 years ago. I know the fears you’re going through.” Another said, “Get well soon my dear, fight for the best!”
The parents said they are doing everything they can but cannot manage the ordeal alone. “Every gift, no matter the size, becomes part of the care that keeps her heart beating, helps her breathe, and brings her one step closer to finally coming home.”
Donations can be made at Give.Asia:
https://give.asia/campaign/urgent-fundraising-for-24-week-preemie-baby-giana-medical-bills#/story
