UAE | Health

Health authority finds hospital negligent

Woman in labour was refused admission

By Bassma Al JandalySenior Reporter
Published: 00:00 February 9, 2010

Image Credit: Bassma Al Jandaly/Gulf News
Father of baby Ameera is seeking compensation from the hospital for his daughter and his wife.

Dubai A hospital was found negligent after forcing a woman to deliver her premature baby on the back seat of a car in front of the hospital door, according to Dubai Health Authority officials.

A report issued by the Licensing and Specifications Department stated that NMC speciality hospital was found medically negligent. The incident happened in April last year when NMC hospital in Dubai rejected the admission of the 26-year-old Filipina because the hospital did not have the necessary facilities, according to her husband.

The hospital denied the authority's accusations. It also said the Health Authority's report lacks details.

The husband said his wife went to NMC Hospital as she was following up on her pregnancy.

Essam said his wife was asked to leave the hospital immediately as she was in labour and the hospital was not equipped to deal with premature babies, born 35 weeks into pregnancy.

Severe pain

Hospital staff carried her on a stretcher to her friend's car and left her there. "I thought they [were] taking me to an ambulance and another hospital as I was in severe pain," she said.

Then the woman's water broke. "Within a few minutes I saw my baby Ameera crying on the back seat of the car," she said. She suffered three episodes of cardiorespiratory arrest.

The baby is also suffering breathing problems.

The woman's husband's friend went back into the hospital seeking help when the woman's water broke.

At this point the woman was taken back to the hospital into the emergency ward as she was bleeding heavily.

According to the hospital report the baby girl was in critical condition suffering from bleeding in the brain. The report notes the baby stopped breathing three times.

Father of baby Ameera is seeking compensation from the hospital for his daughter and his wife.

Comments (26)

Added 11:38 February 9, 2010

this is insane. i strongly feel the baby's father should take serious action. i am totally shocked how can a hospital just ignore a pregnant lady knowing she is already in labour pain.

Anonymous, Ajman, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:30 February 9, 2010

Well nothing new with the hospital concerned. the health ministry should conduct a study on the staff been recruited by this hospital. Some of the doctors and other staff employed by this hospital are of poor quality and does not seem to know what they are supposed to do. I am saying this out of experience.

Anonymous, Dubai , United Arab Emirates

Added 11:18 February 9, 2010

The quality of health care provided here leaves a lot to be desired, The first thing I do when I land in India on my Annual Vacation is visit my Dentist, Physician etc even before I start visiting my family, I also pack and bring my usual dose of medicines of for Throat Infection, Pain etc, I only use medical facilities here in case of emergencies

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:44 February 9, 2010

This is insane! The hospital should be held charge and taken to court! So inhuman from the Hospital to refuse to help the women in labour. I am totally shocked at this incident and request the authorities to take action so that this never happens again. How could a hospital say that its not equipped! Why be called a a hospital in the first place?!!!

Huda, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:37 February 9, 2010

What is happening to NMC hospital? I am sure none of us has fogotten the death of two kids many months back. Infact we have not heard anything further on that case until now. I feel strongly that Mr.Shetty has to make this hospital a better place for patients.

Suresh, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:28 February 9, 2010

this is really very bad to be read .....i was surprise to read this incident....hospital should be fined for this severe act of irresponsiblitiy towards a patient whose condition was so critical....i think ministry of health and the police DEPT should TAKE strict action against this type of incident and should warn other hospitals against such inhuman act. or else ministry should stop giving licence to such hospital.. IF THERE IS NO CARE AND CURE FOR A PATIENT THERE IS NO NEED OF SUCH HOSPITAL TO BE ESTABLISHED WITH HIGHER FEES. !!!

Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:17 February 9, 2010

This is becoming a worse now.Last year in the food poisoning case 2 children died due to negligence.Mr Shetty impove the credibility of your hospitals

Mohammad, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:16 February 9, 2010

this is definately not the 1st time that something like this has happened. And MOH should take this very seriously to protect the people. Some of us have still not forgotten the incident of the 2 children's case of food poisoning Last year.

Amit, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:04 February 9, 2010

This isnt the first report of negligence reported against NMC Hospitals. Last year 2 children died due to being treated wrongly fo rfood poisoning. Time and time again, instances have been reported in the newspaper but the nothing seems to be happening. How sad !

Ahoud, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Added 09:58 February 9, 2010

This is a bit weird ! as soon as they knew that the hospital cant handle this situation they coudlve went to another hospital because when the water brokes it takes the mother hours to give labor. So please be realistic !!!

Dania, Dubai, United Arab Emirates