A West Belfast couple say they are unable to leave Turkey until they have paid their bills following a medical emergency.
Saul Daly was on holiday in Side with his partner Kathleen McLean when he was rushed to an intensive care unit after it was found that he had a bleed in his lungs.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Kathleen said that he had been given the all-clear to fly home to Belfast to receive further treatment at the Royal Victoria Hospital, however he is unable to do so until his bill for the hospital stay has been paid for.
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She says that the couple had got insurance prior to going on holiday, but the insurance company is refusing to pay all of the bill, meaning the pair need to raise £15,000 in order to return home.
Saul is originally from Liverpool and Kathleen from Glasgow, but have lived in the Whiterock Road area for a number of years.
Kathleen said: "We came out here on May 13 for a two week holiday which was supposed to be a nice relaxing getaway.
"However after a few days on May 16, Saul started to complain about having a pain in his back, which we felt must have been down to the hotel bed.
"Over the next couple of days this pain only got worse and we asked the hotel manager to organise an appointment with the doctor. But after describing his symptoms an ambulance arrived to take him away for tests.
"At the medical centre Saul had scans and tests done which revealed that he had blood in his lungs and was very sick and was then transferred 85 miles away to Yasam Hospital in Antayla and was blue-lighted the whole way there.
"The treatment at the hospital has been fantastic and a few days ago Saul was given the all-clear to fly back to Belfast with oxygen so he can get further treatment at the Royal, as he will likely need it for another six months.
"Our problems arose though when we were trying to get our medical bills paid by the insurance company who have been less than helpful with everything. They have said they will only pay less than half of the bill and even told me they would refuse help altogether if we didn't stop trying to contact them.
"All while this has been going on, the medical bill has been getting larger and larger as Saul cannot leave the hospital until it has been paid."
Kathleen said that all the couple want to do is get home and fear they could be stuck in the country for months if the bill cannot be paid.
She said: "I have a son at home who I was meant to see two weeks ago and I don't know when I will get to see him next.
"We have been here for four weeks and unless we are able to raise the money to pay for this bill I don't know what we are going to do."
Kathleen's friend Jody Mccrae has set up a GoFundme page in order to help the couple raise the £15,000 they need so they can finally return home to Belfast and Saul can continue his much needed treatment.
If you would like to donate to the appeal, please follow this link.
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