A British Columbia grandmother is fighting for her life in a Chinese hospital after falling into a coma following a cerebral hemorrhage. Lilia Avoutova, 78, a woman of mixed Chinese and Ukrainian heritage, had traveled to China with her husband to visit her birthplace in Xinjiang, an autonomous territory in northwest China. However, she suffered a stroke two days after arrival and was admitted to a hospital in Kunming, where she remains in an induced coma.
Avoutova's family, including her daughter Elena Lanteigne, has been by her side for over three weeks, struggling to communicate with doctors due to language barriers. Lanteigne has been relying on Google Translate to understand her mother's condition, which has been a heavy burden on the family. With her parents living a frugal life, the costs of medical care in China, approximately $1,000 per day, have become a significant challenge.
The family is now facing a daunting task of bringing Avoutova back to Canada, with estimates ranging from $108,800 to $400,000, depending on the mode of transportation. Lanteigne is clinging to the hope that her mother can recover and be transported home in the next couple of months.
The family has received an outpouring of support from Canadians through an online fundraising page, which has raised over $16,000 towards their goal.
The plight of Lilia Avoutova highlights the complexities and costs associated with medical care in China. The family's struggle to navigate language barriers and high medical expenses underscores the need for more accessible and affordable healthcare options for international patients. The outpouring of support from Canadians demonstrates the kindness and generosity of the community, but it also raises questions about the feasibility of bringing Avoutova home safely.
