An Alberton family urgently needs financial help to bring home their son, Divan Aucamp, from China after a sudden illness left him comatose.

Divan, a healthy young man and rugby player, travelled to Hangzhou last year to work as an au pair. Just weeks later, he was fighting for his life in intensive care with bacterial meningitis, complicated by a stroke and brain damage.

His mother, Esthie, is at his bedside in China and said the family’s primary concern is raising funds to cover the ongoing hospital expenses and a specialised medical flight to return him to SA.

A promising opportunity abroad

Divan applied for the position last November, which was approved after completing all the required medical tests and receiving a clear bill of health. He flew to Hangzhou on December 9 and joined a host family of parents and their four-year-old son.

According to his mother, everything went well at first: “They even asked him to be Father Christmas on the 25th.”
Divan, who had studied tourism and Mandarin, had planned to spend a year in China and had even considered further studies there.

Sudden and severe symptoms

In early February, Divan began suffering from severe headaches and neck pain. He was taken to the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (SRRSH), affiliated with the Zhejiang University School of Medicine, where doctors administered intravenous drips. At first, they thought it was the flu.

“The blood tests showed nothing. No bacteria. That was concerning,” Esthie explained.

His symptoms briefly eased, but on February 9, he returned to the SRRSH with unbearable headaches. Further tests revealed a bacterial infection linked to meningitis. Doctors planned to perform a lumbar puncture. By then, Divan had already booked a flight home to SA as he felt unwell and wanted to recover at home.

“He just wanted to come home,” his mother shared.

Before further procedures could be done, Divan fell into a coma. Doctors discovered swelling of the brain and a build-up of fluid and performed emergency brain surgery to relieve the pressure. During this time, Divan had a stroke that affected the brain stem, which is responsible for breathing.

At one stage, his infection markers were well above normal; however, the most recent reading had dropped significantly, showing that treatment is working.

His ongoing treatment

Two weeks ago, doctors removed the brain fluid drainage tube without complications. However, Divan remains in a coma and is on a ventilator, a feeding pump and a catheter. His one lung recently collapsed, further complicating efforts to reduce Divan’s reliance on the ventilator.

“They are trying to wean him off, but he struggles to breathe on his own because of the damage to the brain stem. His respiratory status is a problem,” said his concerned mother.

Divan has also developed bed sores, and his muscle mass has deteriorated rapidly.

“Within a month, I can’t believe how his muscles have disappeared. He’s like a baby,” she said.

Doctors have indicated that he could remain in a coma for up to two months. There are also concerns about the extent of permanent brain damage, particularly in areas responsible for memory, movement and emotions. His pupils currently do not respond to light, a worrying sign for the family and doctors.

“We don’t know what quality of life we can expect, but we believe his is going to pull through.”

Mounting costs and insurance limits

Divan’s medical costs are exorbitant. Treatment in China costs approximately €10 000 (R188 790) per day. While his travel insurance through Discovery covers up to R5m for 90 days abroad, payments are usually processed once the patient returns to SA.

In this case, Discovery made special arrangements after reviewing medical reports confirming that Divan remains in a coma. The au pair agency initially paid about R228 000 towards the hospital bills before Discovery approved further payments. So far, hundreds of thousands of rand have been transferred in stages.

“We’ve been lucky with Discovery. They sat with the committee and approved everything earlier than they were supposed to,” Esthie said.

However, the 90-day travel cover expires in March. After that, costs may no longer be covered in the same way.
“My concern is the cost after three months.”

In addition to the hospital bills, the family must pay daily out-of-pocket expenses for basic necessities not covered by the SRRSH, including wipes, linen, plasters and tubing.

“They give you a list daily, which you must pay for in cash. It’s between R600 and R800 a day just for medical necessities,” she explained.

The urgent need for a medical flight

Doctors advised that Divan is not stable enough to travel. Flying too soon could affect pressure levels in his brain. When he is stable, he will require a specialised medical evacuation flight, potentially involving booking of eight or nine seats or a dedicated air ambulance.

“It must be a special medical plane. My aim is to get him home risk-free before the travel benefits are finished,” Esthie said.

The family launched a BackaBuddy campaign to raise funds for the eventual medical flight and ongoing expenses. The donations received so far have helped with daily costs and urgent travel arrangements, including Esthie’s visa and flights to China.

“We humbly ask for help. Any donation, big or small, will help us bring him home safely.”

A mother’s vigil far from home

Esthie visits her son daily, although she is allowed only 30 minutes at a time.

“I see him, speak to him, play music and make as if I’m chatting to him. I can’t break down in front of him. I must act as if he can hear me,” she said.

She describes the experience as deeply challenging, navigating public transport in freezing weather and facing language barriers in a foreign country.

“It’s all worth it because I’m there for him,” she said.

She remembers her son as a strong, tall rugby player with blond hair and blue eyes.

Despite the uncertainty, she is hopeful.

She said the family had been overwhelmed by the support they had received from SA and abroad, “We have had so much support from family, friends and even strangers.”

She thanked the host family in China, who acted quickly when Divan became ill and have been supportive throughout. She also praised the doctors, nurses and specialists at the SRRSH.

“They have been amazing. He has a brain surgeon, a neurologist and several other doctors. I am honoured by the care he is receiving,” she said.

Esthie also thanked Discovery Medical Aid for approving and paying claims under exceptional circumstances, and the au pair agency that helped cover the initial hospital costs before insurance payments were processed.

“Everybody has been so professional and compassionate. We are truly grateful.

“I’m just thankful God gave him to me. He’s alive.“Now, we must deal with what is coming and get him home safe.”

To assist the family, donate via the BackaBuddy campaign or contact 082 313 4049