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Baby with pneumonia fights for life in Bali hospital

A seven-month-old baby is fighting for her life tonight in a Bali hospital after contracting pneumonia.

Little Almeera needs urgent medical care in Australia but a flight back will cost tens of thousands of dollars and her medical expenses are not covered by her family's insurance.

The seven-month-old is not able to breathe without oxygen and may require specialist care back in Australia.

Almeera is in a Bali hospital with pneumonia. Source: 7 News
Almeera is in a Bali hospital with pneumonia. Source: 7 News

Her parents thought their travel insurance would cover her medical expenses but they were wrong.

They are now facing huge bills to get her back to Perth, where her father is originally from.

Almeera's family are now facing huge bills to get her back to Australia. Source: 7 News
Almeera's family are now facing huge bills to get her back to Australia. Source: 7 News
Almeera in a Bali hospital. Source: 7 News
Almeera in a Bali hospital. Source: 7 News

The same agonising situation faced the family of Kawa Sweeney, who was found at the bottom of a Bali pool last month.

A medical flight to bring her home cost $42,000, but again, the family were not adequately insured.

Fundraising helped get Kawa home, but she died a few days later.

The same situation faced the family of Kawa Sweeney, who died after falling into a pool in Bali. Source: 7 News
The same situation faced the family of Kawa Sweeney, who died after falling into a pool in Bali. Source: 7 News

Experts say it is not only essential to have insurance when travelling overseas, but to check a few important things.

They advise to be aware of exclusions like high-risk countries or high-risk activities - and to make sure all members of the family are covered.

A GoFundMe page to help with Almeera's medical costs has been set up. You can find it here.

Experts say it is imperative to read your travel insurance fine print to see what it does and does not cover. Source: 7 News
Experts say it is imperative to read your travel insurance fine print to see what it does and does not cover. Source: 7 News