Ill Kiwi mum Abby Hartley's family 'very surprised' by lack of Government help

The husband of the Kiwi woman who's fighting for her life in a Bali hospital says he is "surprised" that the Government hasn't offered any financial help.

Abby Hartley, 41, was rushed into hospital at the beginning of August after falling ill on her first day in Bali while on her 'second honeymoon' with husband Richard. 

She underwent emergency surgery to remove a section of bowel after doctors noticed a piece of it was twisted and dead.

Despite a successful operation, 48 hours later she took a turn for the worst - developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), several infections, a collapsed lung and kidney failure. 

On August 15, doctors made the call to put Ms Hartley in a self-induced coma. The family want to medically evacuate her and bring her back to New Zealand. 

While Ms Hartley had travel insurance, it did not cover pre-existing conditions, which is what this was.

A Givealittle page to cover the enormous hospital bills and fly her home has so far has raised nearly $200,000.  

Speaking to Newshub via Facebook on Wednesday, Mr Hartley says he was surprised by the lack of support from the Government. 

He wrote to the Government for help to bring his wife home - something Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says was not possible. 

"We're not trying to push our case and get heart-wrenching stories going here," he said.

"I was surprised at the lack support here, there are things the Government's done before. 

"I'm very surprised there wasn't something offered even if we went half with the cost of it - that would have helped us."

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stuck by the Minister's decision, saying the Ministry for Foreign Trade and Affairs in Indonesia were doing all they could. 

She acknowledged the situation was "deeply distressing for the family", and hoped in such situations insurance companies would step in and help.

Despite his stance on the Government's inaction, however, Mr Hartley said he couldn't thank everyone enough for the donations. 

"I'm blown away, I can't sleep for the rest of the day - amazing, gobsmacked," he said.

"If I could thank every single one of you, I would personally come and see you... I don't think that's logistically possible but just a big, big thanks."

The family estimates it will cost around $220,000 to fly Ms Hartley home. Any further money raised will pay off her increasing hospital bills, however they will need to remortgage their house to achieve this.

The family is hoping to get Ms Hartley home next week.

"Maybe getting out on Tuesday. There's been talk of Tuesday, which gives us a bit of leeway, bit of time to sort things out," Mr Hartley said.

As of August 30, Mr Hartley is an overstayer in Indonesia and is tossing up whether to pay the overstaying fee or fly out of the country to come back in with a new visa.

Newshub.

Contact Newshub with your story tips:
news@newshub.co.nz