Uninsured SA tourist in critical state gets amazing Kiwi medical care

A South African visitor has so far cost New Zealand about one and a half million rands because of a rare infection she contracted whilst travelling here in New Zealand. After reading this spectacular sample of hospitality and humanity I needed to take a walk and chose Takapuna beach to clear my mind.

Takapuna beach is a favourite place for me to stroll and centre. The beach is often semi-deserted, and at times I stop and chat with people, or they start a conversation with me. It’s winter now and as much as I would love the feel of wet sand on my feet I prefer to wear shoes. The sand is ice. I was surprised by one woman walking barefoot past me near the surf. “How on earth can you be barefoot?” I exclaimed. She had a sweet smile, open blue eyes and radiated warmth as she answered, “Because it feels so lovely. Like a massage.” “Yeah, but it’s so cold!” I replied. We chatted for a while and I could feel my awkwardness in the face of her openness, her upturned, smiling face. My SA culture made me feel this looked like I was trying to hit on her. Which is why I pulled away after a few minutes to resume my stroll: I did not want her to think I was flirting. Well I recall in SA on more than one occasion welcoming new neighbours who were women in our townhouse complex who eyed me with suspicion when I walked past, waved at them and said, “Welcome to our neighbourhood!” One snapped meaningfully, “my boyfriend is here with me”. Oh well.

It’s in this context of unreserved friendliness that I keep on finding in Kiwis that I still read again with incredulity and awe the story in the New Zealand Herald this Friday of a South African visitor to New Zealand, Tayla Storm. She developed a rare infection, suffered a massive organ failure and, close to death, was immediately admitted to hospital here in Auckland without question, even though she did not have travel insurance or money to cover the medical care. To date, her cost to New Zealand for medical care has been 280, 000 New Zealand dollars (that is currently virtually one and a half million rands), no questions asked. Her life was more important. Which is the Kiwi way, as I see all the time in the simple gift of day-to-day interactions wherever I go. Would that kind of charitable hospital treatment happen in South Africa? I asked myself. Would it be fair to expect any country to just carry that kind of bill?

Tayla’s sister, living in Auckland, Kim Stone, is quoted in the papers as saying, “If she had gotten sick in South Africa she would not have seen a doctor without putting money down first — she would have died in the waiting room. It’s no joke.” I disliked the immediate swipe at South Africa, instead of focusing on the unstinting charity displayed by New Zealand to a visitor. But this, it seems, is the true perception of many Kiwis about SA.

As I read the article I sprang to SA’s defence, remembering the time I was in a terrible car accident in Johannesburg. I had to be cut out of the car and seemed relatively unscathed. The paramedics insisted on taking me by ambulance me to Johannesburg General Hospital. There I required stitches and was taken for extensive X-rays and thoroughly checked by a doctor. The paramedics stayed and chatted to me for a long time, talking me through the shock. I was given a clean bill of health and, on requesting, I was allowed to stay the night. No one asked me for money. My welfare did come first. Sure, a bill arrived in the post a few days later, but the amount was minimal and did not include my overnight stay. Perhaps I was lucky. But would a South African hospital just take in and care for a visitor the way the Kiwis took in Tayla Storm? I don’t think so and truly hope someone proves me wrong. The way a country treats her visitors says a lot.

Tayla Storm may very well die and that could be soon. She is still being cared for, though she and her family simply do not have that kind of money. The New Zealand Herald and other businesses are trying to help raise money to pay her debts and the account details can be found here, or forward a query to the New Zealand Herald.