Kiwi teen in Bali ICU battling meningitis and pneumonia

Ashen Phaipanya was intubated and sedated at a Bali hospital.

A Porirua teenager is in an Indonesian intensive care unit after being struck down with meningitis and pneumonia while on holiday in Bali.

Sixteen-year-old Ashen Phaipanya and his family were celebrating his mum Sheena's 40th birthday when he became seriously ill.

He contracted bacterial meningitis after eating undercooked pork, a family friend said, and was in a coma while specialists at BIMC Hospital worked to reduce swelling in his brain.

In a post on a Givealittle page set up to support the family, one of his parents described the frightening moments as an intensive care specialist took Ashen off sedatives .

"He was not responding in any way. It was heart-breaking as I watched the Intensivist try over and over again to try get a response."

Phaipanya is a rugby player at Aotea College in Porirua.

Despite this, Sheena and Ashen's father Ants remained hopeful for their son's recovery.

"While he wasn't responding to commands, his body was showing signs that he was aware of things happening to him.

"He tried to swat the nurses hand away, which was a promising sign of his awareness."

An update from the family on June 24 shared that Ashen was no longer intubated and had woken up.

"It’s still very early days, and he remains critical in the ICU, but the fact that he’s responsive is incredible."

Sheena and Ants have stayed in Bali alongside their son, however travel insurance wouldn't cover all their costs.

Sheena's co-worker and friend, Jordyne Lyons, created a Givealittle page to raise money for both parents to remain.

"They do have travel insurance, but insurance will only cover one parent to stay in Bali with Ashen," Lyons said.

Ashen Phaipanya with his parents, Sheena and Ants.

"Understandably neither of them are going to leave their son, or each other at this time.

"It's their turn to accept some help to cover the expenses of staying in Bali so that they can just focus on Ashen without the added stress of this financial burden."

According to Lyons, doctors were initially unsure whether the brain swelling would cause permanent damage due to the severity.

Lyons and the Phaipanya family said they would continue to share updates via their Givealittle page where more than $14,500 had been raised by Thursday night.