Thursday, Mar 19, 2009
Gulf News
Sharjah: Al Qasimi hospital has threatened to call the police if Reem, a mother who was paralysed following complications after delivering twins, is not moved out from the hospital, her mother has claimed.
However, Minister of Health Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami stepped in yesterday, stating that Reem will not leave the hospital.
Gulf News broke the story three years ago, revealing that investigations had concluded that malpractice at Al Qasimi hopsital led to Reem being paralysed. The 30-year-old Palestinian has been in a coma ever since. Her twins, Gassan and Bisan, are growing up without their mother's care.
A court recently asked the Health Ministry to pay Reem Dh3 million in compensation.
Umm Ramzi, Reem's mother, told Gulf News a hospital official had ordered her to move Reem from hospital, threatening to call the police.
"My daughter needs special medical care. I am afraid something will happen to her. My daughter's life is ruined. The hospital gave me a worn out, damaged bed for Reem to use at home," she said.
Umm Ramzi said she once asked the hospital for a medical report so that she could apply for a residency visa for Reem, but this was refused.
"I was told I would not be given a medical report as long as my daughter remained in the hospital," she said. "The hospital management asked why I needed a visa for my daughter since she is in a coma. The management said they needed the bed for another patient."
Umm Ramzi said she has knocked on all doors in the hospital for help, but no one has responded.
"My daughter is in pain, she needs an injection every three months, which will cost Dh8,000. The injection will help Reem to tolerate the pain. The hospital is refusing to give my daughter the injection. Her health is deteriorating day by day," she said.
Gulf News tried to contact officials at Al Qasimi Hospital, but nobody would comment.
In response, the Minister of Health criticised the hospital.
"Action will be taken against those who are behaving this way with Reem. What happened is unacceptable and Reem will be given all possible help."
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
