Indian infant kept as ''collateral'' by Saudi Arabian hospital

Dubai, July 30 (UNI) A newborn Indian child is being held as ''collateral'' by a Saudi Arabian hospital as his father is unable to pay the full medical bill of SR47,000 (Rs 583,250).

The child's father Prasad, an electrician, said his wife Reena Koshi, working as a nurse, delivered twins, but only one survived because of premature birth.

The other baby has been kept in incubator for which the daily fee charged is SR 750 (Rupees 9,310) by the Riyadh Medical Complex.

Prasad told Arab News that in response to his appeal, a Riyadh-based polyclinic and a charitable organisation raised funds, which still leaves a shortfall of SR14,000 (Rs 173,730).

''We are unable to raise the balance with our meagre income,'' Prasad, who has been living in Riyadh for the past four years, said.

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