UAE | General
Husband's nightmare as Finnish wife lies in coma in Dubai hospital
Not even in his wildest nightmares did UK national David Agnew imagine his life would come to this. His Finnish wife of 21 years, Anna Leena Mirjami Agnew, has been bedridden and in a semi-vegetative state following a heart attack for almost five years in a Dubai hospital.
- By Nina Muslim, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:42 August 21, 2008
- David Agnew lost a leg soon after his wife was taken ill.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Dubai: Not even in his wildest nightmares did UK national David Agnew imagine his life would come to this.
His wife of 21 years, Anna Leena Mirjami Agnew, has been bedridden and in a semi-vegetative state following a heart attack for almost five years in a Dubai hospital.
David, 17 years her senior, lost his right leg soon after his wife's hospitalisation and was sent back to the UK, unable to walk or work.
It also effectively derailed his efforts to bring her home.
In a telephone interview with Gulf News, David said he tried to make good on his promise to bring her back to Saudi Arabia and maybe the UK, but fate intervened.
No work
"I tried to have her brought back to Riyadh, but I developed health problems and had to have my leg amputated. I couldn't stay in Saudi Arabia because I couldn't work anymore and was sent back to the UK," he said.
It meant I no longer had an income and could not bring her back, he added.
He now lives in sheltered housing, provided by the British government. There was no contact with Anna's son from a previous marriage.
He said he contacted the British Embassy in the UAE and the Finnish Embassy in Saudi Arabia to help Anna, but did not receive a favourable response.
This was because Anna's case falls under a legal grey area. She does not have a British passport, which means she is not entitled for help from the UK. Neither could she count on assistance from the Finnish government, despite being a citizen, because she has lived outside Finland for more than three decades.
Gulf News reported Anna's plight on August 6. The report generated angry responses from readers. The Finnish press also took up Anna's case, applying pressure on the government to repatriate her.
David said he thinks constantly of Anna, of the 17 years they spent together, before tragic circumstances pulled them apart. Her photos pepper his small sitting room.
"I feel guilty because I feel one should look after one's wife. It's all right to say you can't but that's not enough.
"I miss her. We were always together. We were never apart for long, except during the first Gulf War, when she stayed back in the UK," he added.
Now he hopes the renewed interest in Anna's case means she will finally go to Finland, where she can receive care and be closer to him.
"The best solution of all would be to have her here. But she's a Fin, so that will be a problem," he said, adding he was grateful to the Dubai government for caring for her.
End of ordeal in sight
A 61-year old Finnish woman is close to returning to Finland, following public outrage in the UAE and Finland over her apparent abandonment in Dubai Hospital for almost five years.
Anna Leena Mirjami Agnew has been in a semi-vegetative state in Dubai Hospital since January, 2004 following a heart attack. Her family said they were unable to care for her, while the Finnish government said they could not help her as she was a "permanent overseas citizen". Gulf News reported her plight on August 6.
Jansi Rajaratnam, ward nurse in charge of the medical unit, told Gulf News they had been asked to prepare a medical report for the Finnish Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
"We're preparing the medical report. It should be ready by today."
A social worker at the hospital working on Agnew's case said she hoped Anna would be able to go home in two weeks.
The Finnish Embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed the medical reports were part of the repatriation process.
"The report will be delivered to the authorities, who handle repatriation," said Paivi Palmunen, first secretary at the embassy.
She added she did not know when Anna would be going back, saying "these things take time".
In the meantime, many residents have come out in support of Agnew, with a few spending time with her, reported hospital staff.
"Her case has touched me," said one visitor.
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