Stranded Australian Faces Mounting Medical Bills After Stroke in Japan

Charles Reeves Avatar

By

Stranded Australian Faces Mounting Medical Bills After Stroke in Japan

Tom Zdanius from Yamba in NSW has been stuck in Japan. He had a catastrophic stroke a month ago that prevented his return home. Now in Iseikai International General Hospital in Osaka, he is racking up days of medical costs at $5,000 a day. Zdanius recently celebrated his birthday alone at the hospital, a sobering glimpse into the callous situation that he is up against.

The nightmare escalated when his family tried to book a medically-facilitated flight back home. This first attempt flopped and ended up costing a stunning $30,000. But despite Tzvika and Dror’s commitment, they now find themselves facing an estimated total cost of more than $200,000 to bring him home to Australia.

Crowdfunding Campaign Launched

Tom Zdanius’s family struggles under a crushing burden of costs. To address the growing medical expenses, they’ve started a GoFundMe campaign. The family is mobilizing their community around them as they ask for financial support to lift the burden.

Lukas Zdanius, Tom’s brother, emphasized the human cost the incident has exacted on their family. As he put it, “It’s going to almost always be considered a loan.” This illustrates both how difficult it is for them to get money for Tom’s medical treatment. The family is optimistic that with the help of crowdfunding, they can raise the necessary resources to get Tom back home safe.

“But there is nothing we can do about that, and the next best thing is to pay it out of our own pockets.” – Lukas Zdanius

The High Cost of Travel Without Insurance

The ongoing dilemma has shone a light on the need for travel insurance. Tom was overseas without coverage, which ended up costing him a great deal of money. Dr David Beirman is an adjunct associate professor, management and tourism, at the University of Technology Sydney. He attended it, he explained, with the strong conviction that research indicates almost 90 percent of Australians typically purchase insurance when traveling overseas.

The doctor reiterated the dangers of skipping out on travel insurance. This unfortunate guy is having that experience as we speak. Cheap travel insurance will save you a fortune, he said in an interview. He pointed to how big of a risk travelers experience when they do not carry insurance.

“Some people seem to get away with it, but you don’t drive a car without insurance, and you don’t travel without travel insurance.” – Lukas Zdanius

Seeking Alternatives for Medical Evacuation

Tom’s health is still precarious. The only real option for his return is to charter a private jet—something that will run in the ballpark of $300,000. The family is pursuing this option still, though they’d face a pricey and complicated logistics challenge.

Lukas Zdanius described the difficulties involved in arranging medical evacuation: “The issue is we need to get the medevac people to take out nine seats of a commercial plane so they can fit a stretcher in.” The logistical challenges themselves add a layer of complexity to what’s already a devastating situation.

“The only alternative is to get a private jet, which is probably about $300,000.” – Lukas Zdanius

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is currently working behind the scenes to support Tom Zdanius. Indeed, they are not able to discuss any additional information due to HIPAA privacy laws.

In

Charles Reeves Avatar
KEEP READING
  • Tensions Rise Between Thailand and Cambodia Amid Ongoing Border Dispute

  • Tesla Faces Challenges as Brand Image and Revenue Decline

  • Teens Embrace AI Companions for Advice and Friendship

  • Melbourne Storm Triumph Amid Injury Concerns

  • Sam Docherty Bids Farewell in Emotional Final AFL Game

  • Northern Territory Faces Urgent Shortage of Critical Rheumatic Heart Disease Medication