Mother in the red after costly childbirth

A woman who received a bill for almost 65,000 kronor ($9,000) after giving birth at Uppsala University Hospital has petitioned the Swedish government to erase her debt.

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The woman, who lacked a Swedish residence permit when she gave birth to a baby boy at Uppsala University Hospital in February 2008, received an invoice for 65,000 kronor from the hospital.

Unable to pay the bill, she saw the unpaid bill referred to the Swedish Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden). In a letter to the Swedish government viewed by The Local, she has called for assistance in alleviating the debt. As a recipient of social welfare payments, she says she is not in a position to cover the cost.

“I was obviously forced to give birth. I didn't spent 63,936 on luxury items,” she wrote in her plea.

“In a country like Sweden, with its exceptional democratic principles and human rights, I don't understand how you don't in the first place help people in difficult situations in your own country,” she continued.

The Local has been unable to reach the woman for comment.