Father looks for answers after children's death

Dubai: A grieving father who lost both his children to suspected food poisoning, has questioned the treatment provided by the hospitals and said he will leave it to Dubai authorities to give him justice.

"I lost both my babies to this stupid, stupid disease [food poisoning]," said Patrick D'Souza, unable to hold back his tears. "This shouldn't happen to anyone; this is the worst punishment."

He and his wife Anne-Sophie on Monday gave their statement to the police, who will deliver it to Dubai Prosecution to pursue the case, said D'Souza.

"We are hoping to get justice and that the authorities make sure this does not happen to other children," he said.

Anne-Sophie had ordered mixed fried rice from the Lotus Garden in Al Ghusais for their evening meal and everyone started getting stomach cramps and vomiting.

She rushed them all to NMC Hospital and they were released after initial treatment. She had to rush them all again later as things started to worsen.

D'Souza questioned how the hospital could have released the family after their initial treatment.

"Children with serious diseases like cancer survive. This was a simple case."

He said Dubai Hospital knew that a child (Nathan, five) in the family had already died. His wife and daughter were transferred to Dubai Hospital from NMC Hospital after initial treatment.

"They [Dubai Hospital] kept saying my daughter [Chelsea, seven] was 'stable' but that her blood pressure was low.

D'Souza was given a form to sign accepting the hospital's recommendation to put a tube into her to pump in extra drugs to keep her blood pressure stable.

"She [Chelsea] kept opening her eyes and smiling. Everything seemed to be OK. My wife was moved next to her bed. Chelsea then became unconscious and they tried to revive her. The same thing happened to my son," he said sobbing.

Dr B.R. Shetty, managing director and CEO of the NMC Group of Hospitals, earlier said: "Two children and an adult were brought to the hospital on Friday evening with suspected food poisoning. One of the children, a young boy, was pronounced dead on arrival. A young girl and a woman were then transferred to Dubai Hospital."

But that is not the sequence of events, according to D'Souza.

He said his wife rushed the children to NMC Hospital which treated and released them.

Then, later, Nathan started complaining of stomach cramps and his wife was finding it difficult to move her legs and hands. She took them back to the hospital.

"They [the hospital] knew it is was a food poisoning case, why couldn't they have flushed the toxins from the stomach," asked D'Souza.

He was away in Abu Dhabi when the tragic events began.

Dubai Hospital was not immediately available for comment as Dubai Authorities are conducting investigations. The Lotus Garden restaurant has since been closed and will remain closed until investigations are complete.

Your comments

All residents of Dubai are shocked by this incident .
Ashish shah
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 13:16

Unbelieveabl incident..its the height of negligence..in first place I will blame those who are fond of eating out...why we cant do a little efforts to prepare food for our beloved ones at home only and avoid eating suspicious food from out side. Restaurants and hospitals,I believe are playing major roles in public sectors they should perform their duties.
Syed Zeeshan Hussain
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: June 16, 2009, 13:16

This is trully one of the saddest cases in Dubai. My deepest condolences to the family. It is sad that the hospitals mainly have the intention of costs involved and treat patients unjustly. Either the Doctors are not qualified to handle such a simple course of action towards children or the hospitals just don't care about basic responsiblities especially the Doctors. They justify based on nationalities, insurance back grounds etc. The authorities have to intiiate stringent steps to eradicate such senseless loss of human lives. The concerned parties have a lot to answer. I hope justice will prevail and no one should even envisage such an ordeal for a silly mistake that gets forgotten over time.
Janice
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 13:07

I hope serious actions will be taken... I've had food poisoning 2 days ago, still suffering. PS. in case of food poisoning: First, stop eating all solid foods. Drink plenty of purified water
Tarek
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 13:06

I have experienced a similar sort of issue with NMC hospital but thank God my kidi is Mashallah great!!! they took a normal procedure in NMC at 2 in the morning and released her. So then i have taken her to Khalifa city Hospital where she was treated really nicley. I think doctors and staff are some times very casual towards food poisoning and similar issues. Hospitals must take some clear actions toward the inexperiece doctors and staff otherwise this can happen with anyone.
Kashif Patel
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 13:02

I really feel very sad about this. Authorities should take serious action against this, Most of the Hospitals are running just for business. Most of the time we don't get proper medication, They don't keep medical ettics,specialy in sharja ,if you see the premises ,its really shame full ,Authorities should take actions against such Hospitals immediately
Isaac Andrews
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 12:59

Municipality must make strict action in all the cafeterias, restuarants and hotels.Cleanliness of food and the restuarants must be implemented everywhere.Food poisoining must be controlled. Since it is summer vaccations nowadays so most of the families tend to eat outside..so that means....more food poising cases.!!People avoid eating out this summer plss!!
From A Reader
Ajman,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 12:58

Very tragic indeed - No words could possibly bring about a positive change in the life of the bereaved parents - The scars are permenant- However, a thorough investigation into the events that led to the death of two innocent very young children must be conducted and publicised--- Further more , anyone found guilty must be punished--- irrespective of their standing in the society- I don't have sufficient words to sympathise with the devastated parents---
M. Tarek Seddiqi
Ajman,UAE-
Posted: June 16, 2009, 12:39

This is not the first time that we hear such news but this was the most painful. I am a mother of 3 children and I can only imagine how hard it should be for a mother to lose her children. I pray to God to give you patience.
Fariba
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:44

NMC hospital is not like a small dispensary. It is very big and popular hospital, they cant give proper treatment? They don't have any advance equipment? I requesting to concern authority to take necessary action. I am very upset with this incident, they lost their both children. This shouldn't happen to anyone
Razack
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:39

From personal experience and that of people that have been treated in NMC Ghusais, its not the best place to be treated for ANY ailment. Its my opinion that the hospital should be actively investigated not just the restaurant
Ann
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:38

It is tragic to have lost two young children. I really feel sorry for the family. Look at the restaurant, their food, how they cook. It is horrible. If you physically visit, you will not eat hotel food. The hotel must brought into justice. There are many hotels give public stale food. Dubai Municipality must do on the spot check frequently. Many talk about Quality, Mission and Vision but nothing in reality. I feel sorry for the young innocent babies.
RAVISHANKAR
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:38

This is tragic. It is heartbreaking to read this. What use is a speaciality hospital for diseases if this is the irresponsibilty towards a patient.
Murtuza Sadikot
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:37

My heart goes out to you . fist thing is WHY did the first hospital let them go home they are small children at least keep them in for 24 hours to keep an eye on them.no2.has any one eles been reported with the same case on the same day?Idont blame this poor man to get some thing done about it he has lost 2children.may they rest in peace and i wish your wife all the best in her health god bless you.fight for what happend be strong. like you say so other children or any body does not have to go through the same thing. i wish you all the best.
Kay
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:32

This is a sad affair, it is clearly bad how the situation was handled at that point.Now the consequences of that situation is being borne by this lonely couple at the high price of their children's lives.What do you do after such an incident has occured? Whose fault is it? Who is to blame? Now there is no reason in pointing fingers at anybody...All we hope and pray is that the D'souza kids are at peace and their parents dont go too hard on themselves...
From A Reader
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:26

It's so shocking to hear this tragic end of two sweet children.I can imagine the parents plight. U.A.E authorities should strickly keep a check on all Hotel and Rest. to ensure henceforth the safety and loss of any life.Even doctors should try their best after all our lives are in their hands.
Eugenia Cooper
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:22

There Should be strict inspection of Health centers. There are some Hotels that are unclean. Dubai municipality should fine or take stricter action on the hotel.
Mohammad Siraj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:20

In my opinion, the Restaurant must be shut down for good. Their negligence has taken two children's lives and have left the parents to grieve for the rest of their lives. Both the hospitals in question should also be given severe penalty so that they learn their lesson to take people's lives seriously. We trust that the doctors are doing their jobs. Now whom do we trust ?
Jovita
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:16

Why did NMC have to transfer the patients to Dubai Hospital?? Don't NMC claim to be a 'super-speciality' hospital? If NMC does not have the resources to cater to simple food poisoning cases, why should they be called a hospital in the first place? Residents in Dubai should be made aware about medical institutions that are not 'self-sufficient'. Had the father taken his kids to another hospital directly, maybe they would have survived?
Mohammad Omran
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:16

I also do not have good opinion about NMC Hospital staff and doctors (Al Qusais). Only the building is nice. When I took my son there, I found lot of mistakes happening in keying in the details in computer and the file. The ENT doctor horrified us by the way he dealt with the patient. The x-ray to verify adenoid size was taken with mouth wide open. But when checked with doctors of other hospitals they opined it is best done with the mouth closed. Such things raise so many doubts about ability of the staff over there.
Prabhat K. Verma
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:13

We can't feel the pain of the parents. Within no time, their both children passed away. Authorities should take strict action against the restaurant also check the doctors if they had done any negligence then they should be questioned.
Fahad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:13

In this day and age, it is very strange that children taken to a hospital can die of food poisoning. It is an outrageous thought and the parents have every right to know what happened. Rest in peace Little Angels.
Susie
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:13

This was a big tragedy! Concerned authorities should make sure that this will not happens to any one again. putting cameras in all restaurants in order to assure the quality of food served to the public.
Jiju Sreedhar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:09

Since I am in UAE, I experience bad quality from the Doctors over here, they don't take the time to analyze. For everything small you have to get under the xRay, it seems to be often that they just try and error on you. Please get some good Doctors and do more for Quality Management (not on paper)! Especially NMC.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:07

My sympathies for the family effected. Although there is no replacement for them but Dubai Authorities should take strong action against the resturant and Hospital to find out the root cause so that it should not happen with other people.
Danish Jafri
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 08:01

Reasturant should not open again and put them heavy penalty he has to pay also court should take some action to the hospital management and give becaue next time not happen with others.
Aftab Khan
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:59

This is the second incident of negligence with NMC in recent times.
Clement
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:57

In this modern age where the pace of technological advancements have been harnessed to establish a health care industry with the state of the art facilities to tend to the sick and afflicted. It is sad to note that the hospital has not done their job in saving lives. The ailment was not a stroke, a heart attack, cancer or result of any life threatening accident. It was plain and simple food poisoning. If the children were alive when the doctors first examined them, then the hospital has to do a lot of explaining for their deaths and later trying to hood wink the public. This type of misinformation campaign should be nipped in the bud and the authorities should hold them responsible for their careless actions. We are talking about precious lives here and the failure of life support systems. These are the basic fundamental requirements of every human being in the society.
Sagi George
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:50

Try to avoid the food from Hotel and Resaurants...
Sasi Kumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:44

What kind of poison is that and hospital not able to diagnose and treat properly. He is correct, it should not happen to anyone. This case require extensive investigation.
Rommel
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:39

This is a very unfortunate incident and i can imagine what must be going through Mr D'Souza. He is right and justice should be given to him. The children would have survived if the hospital had their case seriously!
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:31

So pathetic. The victims could have been saved as it was diagonised food poisoning. It was no serious but a normal case. Medical field needs to be revamped.
Baiju Murathankal
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:31

This is absoultely disgusting on the part of the Hospital Authorities. We have ourselves witnessed such bad experiences with NMC. It is high time that Hospital authorities try to curb the situation.
Sam
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:29

It is such a tragic incident.What are hospitals doing?They don't want to take any responsibilities in curing patients.Is being a doctor such an easy-going profession these days? And if restaurants don't want to serve proper food,why don't they close it forever instead of claiming innocent lives.
Kavita
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:26

Authorities must conduct regular checks at restaurants. The defaulters here must be severely punished.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:25

It is disturbing, sad and worrying that such thing could have happened!
Abdi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:25

This is not the first case in the country.Authorities should take immediate action against the restaurants.
John
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:23

I convey my deepest sympathy and Justice must be served to the D'Zousa Family... Punishment must also be served to those people, i.e, from the Restaurant
Allan Alex
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:22

I am sorry for the parents. The children look so beautiful. Support parents in this terrible period of grief. NOTHING WILL BRING THE KIDS BACK.
Eleeze
Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia
Posted: June 16, 2009, 07:16

This is not the 1st incident with NMC. How could the hospital transfer / release the patient at the worst stage. NMC seem to be a hospital well equipped. Strange they couldn't handle a food poisoning case. Dubai Municipality should look into the treatement provided by NMC.
Bob
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 06:54

I am deeply saddened by the tragic news. May God give D'Souza family enough strength to bear this loss. It is really scary news for Dubai residents, we feel unsafe and insecure as all of us eat outside at least a couple of times a week! Hope the authorities will take appropriate measures to regulate the way the basic amenities such as health care and education are provided. Sorry to say but from my experience the standard of healthcare and school education in Dubai are really low.
Sundar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 06:41

this case should be investigated with serious concern and the truth will be find out.
K.P. Mohammad
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 06:36

food poisoning is very common especially in summer time. Many time I personaly experienced that even veg items simple like Dos and sambar, consuming makes loose motion and other stomach troubles. Especially in summer better having self cooked items and mostly vegetables. But Dubai'ans adopted different different life styles most of the day going outdoor dinner or lunch. Authorites must check very frequently the higiene of the restaurants and coffee shops. many restaurants getting their supplies from residents of the locality where nobody can check its higiene cooking
Gopalakrishnan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 06:36

I am deeply disturbed on reading this and offer my condolences to the family.To lose 2 children at the same time and at a tender age is so difficult to bear.Let God give them all the strength in their time of grief. My child aged 2 was also vomiting for past 10 days with high fever, cough, cold.Then I got blood test done--normal, but still he was becoming worse,so I changed to another clinic
Sammira Mohi Al Deen
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 06:10

I am shocked and in sorrow and share the father's pain, no words express the feelings of this poor father but someone must be severly punished the restrant and hospital
Magdi Fouad
Alexandria,Egypt
Posted: June 16, 2009, 04:43

firstly my deepest condolence to the parents. Serious actions have to be taken, especially against that restaurant bcoz, we dont know how many people must have bought the same food at that time. as the father said, it shouldnt happen to anyone else. moreover, hospitals especially like this one, the doctors should have been more careful..
Miraz
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 16, 2009, 03:36

Its about time the authorities took a stringent step to eradicate such senseless loss of human lives. The concerned parties have a lot to answer. I hope justice will prevail and other parents or anyone for that matter does not have to go through such an ordeal. Patrick and Ann are close friends of mine and i stand by them and seek answers.
Charleston Peters
Sydney,Australia
Posted: June 16, 2009, 03:10

I am due to come to Dubai with my family on holiday next month,and we will be eating out daily. I hope this case increases checks by the Dubai authorities of all restaurents,hotels and take away food health and hygiene standards. May the deaths of these small children not be in vain,and a change that may be needed in Dubai,now be implemented.
Selina
London,UK
Posted: June 16, 2009, 02:26