Australian newborn clinging to life in Bali hospital after being diagnosed with severe bacterial infection

Australian newborn Lucky, just seven weeks old, was on a holiday with her parents and brother when she suddenly became unwell.

Without specialist equipment, they were unable to diagnose exactly what condition.

Lucky’s mother Honey spoke through tears as she recalled the harrowing ordeal her young family was being through. 

“Two days ago she started having trouble breathing,” Lucky’s mum Honey told 9News.

“I thought that I could help her, just get sleep and give her my milk.

“So I tried to help her, just like normal (what you would do) when babies get sick, they just need sleep… but then she stopped drinking my milk.

“She got really tired and then I looked at her stomach and you could see her lungs (pulsating).

“So we quickly rushed her to hospital and when we took her to hospital she started going cold… and losing her colour.”

Honey said Lucky’s tiny lungs almost immediately stopped working after she arrived at hospital and that local doctors weren’t equipped to deal with her condition.

“When we got to hospital they rushed her into emergency care and they put her on ventilation but they said her lungs were not working because of an infection, but they’re not sure what type of infection,” she said.

“The doctors here say they don’t have the right equipment and medicine to help her.

“They’ve called every other hospital in Bali to try and get her in a different hospital, but no hospital has the right equipment and medicine for her.

“They can’t even test her properly.”

A distraught Honey described her young daughter as a “beautiful, gentle girl”. 

“She’s only seven weeks old. She’s so beautiful. She’s such a sweet little baby girl, she’s very gentle,” she said.

“We really just want her to live a long life.”

The newborn – currently unable to breathe on her own – has since been transferred to the hospital’s high-intensity unit and is now on a ventilator.

Doctors say they’re unable to determine the cause of the infection and Lucky may need to be flown to Singapore for specialist treatment.

Her family said Lucky’s hospital stay is costing upwards of $8000 per day and the estimated fees for an emergency air ambulance to Singapore have been quoted in the vicinity of $90,000.

“Just one day in hospital is $8000, it’s very expensive,” Honey said. 

“We’re looking at flying her to Singapore… (but) it’s $20,000 per day.

“We want to fly Australia.” 

Lucky’s diagnosis has been classified as life-threatening and she may need to remain in hospital for weeks to come.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed to 9news.com.au the matter is being looked into. 

A crowdfunding page has been set up for Lucky to support the family.

“Please help if you can,” Honey said.

“Even just one dollar… five dollars, anything.

“We don’t want to lose her.”