Dubai: The Dubai Health Department is investigating the case of a premature baby who was born in the back seat of a car after a private hospital refused to admit its mother, saying it did not have a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Doctors at the hospital, the NMC Specialty Hospital, said the file has been handed to the department. The 25-year-old Filipina delivered her baby Ameera in front of the NMC Specialty Hospital at 1am last Sunday, her husband Essam said.
He said his wife had gone to the NMC Hospital when she felt severe pain as it was following up on her pregnancy. Essam alleges his wife was asked to leave the hospital as she was in labour and the hospital was not equipped to deal with premature babies, born 30 weeks into the pregnancy.
The hospital never told my wife this, Essam said.
Gulf News last week reported how hospital staff carried her on a stretcher to her friend's car and left her there.
"Within a few minutes I saw my baby girl crying in the back seat of the car," the woman said.
The woman was taken into the emergency ward as she was bleeding heavily. Her husband was travelling that night, but returned the next day.
According to the NMC Hospital report the baby suffered three episodes of cardiorespiratory arrest. She also has breathing trouble. She was kept at NMC hospital for 24 hours and then transferred to Dubai Hospital and kept in an incubator.
"I was desperate and worried about the lives of my baby and wife. I got help from Dubai Hospital who saved my baby," Essam said. The Dubai Hospital report said Ameera is in critical condition and is still suffering from bleeding in the brain. The report noted she had stopped breathing three times.
"Doctors said she is suffering from heart problems. The way she was born affected her health badly," Essam said.
Dr Babita Shetty, a gynaecologist at NMC, earlier said according to Health Department rules, patients less than 35 weeks pregnant are not allowed to be admitted.
Do you think the hospital had the right to turn away the mother? Have you ever been rejected by a hospital? What was the reason for it? What happened?
Your comments
I think we better let the past be the past. This tragic incident should be a lesson not only to NMC Staff but to all service human beings. I pray such inhumane stuff doesn't happen anywhere again.
Othman Dan-agege
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 18:45
I was feeling unwell and went to a hospital in Al Wasl Road. I told the doctor I suspected viral meningitis as I had the illness before. He told me to go to another hospital as they could not treat me. He calmly gave me directions on how to drive to the hospital even though I was very ill and it was rush hour. I could not get a hold of my husband and tried to call him once more in the reception and was asked to leave the hospital immediately. I was kicked out like a dog. The doctor could have offered to have their ambulance take me to the other hospital but he was only interested in getting me out of his surgery.
Jacky Sudding
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 18:38
The Ministry of Health should check this hospital in terms of ethics and profesionalism, because I myself experienced the same thing, when I went the staff were bad, doctors did not know how to speak properly with the patient and if I am not mistaken the Director himself did not know how to handle patient. I am referring to another NMC in Dubai.
Eva Donna M. Isla
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 15:11
I had a premature baby which was born few years ago. The hospital is not admitting new born baby below 35 weeks but still, they helped me deliver my baby and through ambulance, transferred the baby to Zulekha in his incubator. I feel sorry for the mother and the baby.
Sally
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 15:11
I'm not happy with NMC Group. I had a bad experience once in Abu Dhabi, where I had to carry my daughter to their hospital around 8 PM due to severe stomach ache. I took her thinking that she'll get the best care as the name NMC is quite popular in this part of the Emirate. It was a horrible experince for me. People managing their reception didn't even bother my request. They said to get an emergency appointment from the doctor I should wait at least 3 hours.I carried my daughter on my shoulder to my car and went to another hospital where I experience the real customer satisfaction.
B. M.
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 15:08
It is so sad for the family going through this ordeal, where is humanity, what happen to the oath they take to care for the community and save lives? how many dreams are shattered from their negligence? how much suffering they inflict to this family or the mother? seeing your child near death or fighting for its life is not an easy thing. How you throw someone(pregnant)out of the hospital while its clearly they need help,how is this even a rule? May God bless this child and her family to come out of this unharmed and get justice
Sophia
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 15:02
You get to any NMC hospital in UAE,be it Abu Dhabi or Dubai, you get the same bad treatment. Arrogant reception staff to top it all.
Calvin Pietersen
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:56
Every incident gives us a lesson to learn. lets forget who has done what, because thats the responsibility of the authorities to find out. now here, we can sugget to ensure that such kind of ugly incidents should not happen in future.In my opinion these rules need amendment for a beter future.we must not disrespect the Hospital Administration as they have respected the law.
Waris Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:56
Whatever the NMC will say, it is not acceptable. You are a hospital trained to deal with situations, the car and friend of the victim are not well equipped compared to you. I think it is inhumane and should be penalised.
Nanik
Al Ain,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:55
i pray for baby ameera's recovery...as a mother i feel so sad..am angry to the kind of treatment they give to the mother..how can they do such a thing?the mother is already in pain, she needs immediate help..how can these people ignore to treat her or just atleast send her to the nearest fully equipped hospital..
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:54
This is very disappointing to the part of the hospital. Once and for all I really admire UAE because of less crimes it means that they protect life...NMC, are you protecting life? Hope it will give attention to the concerned person so that it will never happen again. Wish that doctors of NMC will realized what they have done. Praying for the recovery of the mother and the baby.
Lyn
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:53
Well I would like to say that it happened with my baby to back in my native country. i must say that whatever the rules has been decide by the legislators, there should be a law where if any of the hospitals did this kind of matter. ther should be a penalty on them
Qadeer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:49
I am the father of Ameerah and I have read all the comments attached along with the story below.
Just wanted to thank everybody for all the concern and sympathy that you've shared.
It's a very crucial and critical experience that my family has gone through, however thank God that my wife is in very good condition now and my daugther is responding very well to the medical treatment that she is receiving from the hospital.
Hopefully this will not happen to anyone else and I'm asking all for their prayers so that my little Ameerah will come out soon.
Thank you.
N. Essam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:46
I think the relevant authorities should take action against the hospital. This is totally unacceptable and unjust. I will never visit such a hospital ever again since i am myself a mother and know the pain a mother goes through while delivering a baby.
Mariam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:46
I was also going to victimised by NMC in Abu Dhabi,i want to make attention to the people please take care of your lives when you are under treatment because this kind of inhuman act happened with me when my wife was in labour they refused to get the delivery,they are not capable to make delivery.
Suhaib
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:33
I went through the same experience last oct. Mine was an ectopic pregnany case. I was turned away from a hospital saying they had no bed to admit me. This is totally unacceptable. I only pray the Baby may recover soon.
Nafeesa
UAE,Dubai
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:23
Make a better secured future by making all the Private hospitals equiped for minimum first aid or completely to help premature delivery for such babies
L. J.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:22
My wife delivered twins last september. Even though, it was the first time i was at that hospital, they admitted my wife as she was in severe pain. this is the attitude which the hospitals should show to the patients as we are talking the life of baby as well as the mother. I think last year also there was a problem with NMC Hospital regarding delivery.
Jayraj
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:14
Hospitals should save lives, not to disregard those in Critical condition, If im not mistaken this is the 2nd dilemma NMC encounter.
Jane
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:12
This is an absolute shame and lack of responsiblity on the part of the doctors and the hospital. It was the matter of two lives and doctors are what they are to save lives and not to turn away their faces in such times. I think necessary action should be taken against the hospital and a very strict action should be taken against the doctors on duty, especially the doctors who turned the patient away. I pray to God for the well being of baby Ameera and hope that this does not affect her.
Pritam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 14:10
Horrible to read, those Doctor and staff refused to admit had moral responsibilities to support life. Doctor working under law cannot ignore LAW, but must support life. If cannot admit, provide Ambulance and medical help to reach NICU, but dont wash your hands, the hands that can support LIFE. We come to hospital with a hope and trust.
Shaju P Jose
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 13:25
Lack of Medical Facility is never a valid ground to refuse a patient under critical condition. Absence of Medical Facilities shouldn't mean absence of conscience too. At least they could have brought the patient with MNC ambulance to the nearest hospital that has the required facilities.
Joey_Pogi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 13:22
The main primary rules of the hospital is to "SAVE LIFE " money would be secondary. It is horrible and unforgivable scenario .
Janneth
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 13:20
Read all the comments regarding this case and was surprised to see everyone turning up against the hospital and the staff. Doctors are there to save lives but what are they to do when they do not have the right equipment to do so? How can a mechanic repair a car without his toolkit? From personal experience, the services started by Mr. B.R Shetty is one of the best in the country today and have tried to cover every field. The doctors may have not given any pain killers as it would have had an adverse effect. They were helpless and hence turned the patient out in order to ensure she can get help else where. Commenting based on considering one side of the story is baseless. I believe both the sides of the coin has to be considered before starting an argument or getting aggressive.
Rashid Seddiqi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 13:19
this is absurd totally unacceptable. Its life of a human being we are talking about here!
Laila Mohammad A A
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 12:39
The hospital should not have shown such an irresponsible attitude to a patient in labour.It is not a matter of rules,its a matter of two lives.There is no rule that a mother should deliver only after 35 weeks. The hospital should inform all the patients coming for antenatal checkup that they will not be admitting any patients before 35weeks even in cases of emergencies. Dont you think that the hospital should have admitted that mother and after her labour they could have sent the baby to be admitted in Dubai hospital rather than turn away a mother in labour by just blaming on rules. At least the doctors should have had some medical ethics.
Misha Nibu
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 12:36
It's really high time that the authorities look into the medical services provided by private hospitals. I'm pretty sure, even officials will bend that kind of "law" if it will save lives.
Abbie C
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 12:35
The authorities should do an investigation on this hospital and take necessary action against them.
God have mercy on this family and little Ameer. Please let her come out of this unharmed and be able to live life as she should.
Tamara
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 12:25
Since the consequence is an emergency, hospitals must admit and treated their patient accordingly whatever the case is. Furthermore they knew from the start that she is bleeding heavily means she needed extra care
Mary Ann Ray
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 12:25
laws can be amended but no lawyer can amend death to life.
Regina Villona
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 12:23
Please get the other side of the story from the hospital as well before jumping to conclusions.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 12:23
Who will be responsible if the baby becomes handicapped and has to suffer her entire life just because she was born without proper medical help?
NMC has forgotten their primary duty is to save lives.
Isn't it the responsibility of the Hospital to take care of the people in pain?
Sanju
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 12:19
It's so shameful on the part of NMC. How can they refuse a patient when he was in dire need of medical assistance? Though not equipped to handle the condition of the patient they should have show some courtesy to send the patient to another hospital in their ambulance.
Abrar
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 12:15
This is a totally shameful act by the hospital administration. Any human life has to be saved in any emergency. The hospital authorities should be heavily and severely punished so that no hospital will even think of doing this in future. these private hospitals are here only to make huge money and i really praise the government hospitals specially al qassimi hospital sharjah as my wife was to deliver whenever she had pain they were ready to take care and she was immediately admitted and taken care lastly i pray to allah to shower its blessings and save the life of baby ameera and gift her life to her parents
Dawar Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 12:14
Pregnancy is a 9 month long affair - while the exact date of delivery cannot be foretold at least the parents should have ensured they have booked the place of delivery well in advance. Hospitals have norms and conditions to follow a systematic pattern of administration.
Elaine Fernandes
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 12:14
This is a totally unfair activity. How can such hospitals claim themselves as "multispeciality hospital " and doesnt have a incubator. This is not an excuse.
Red Lee
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 11:05
It is very said and weird to hear about,especial in Dubai.
Firoz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 11:04
As per medical rules i believe that when doctors pass out of medical college they take the oath stating that they will serve the community very well but here its utter negligence both from the part of the doctors as well as the nurses. Had it been their own how would they have felt.I really pity the entire family of Ameera and hope she recovers and grows to be an intelligent girl. Medical asssistance should be given at any point of time rather than bringing in excuses and ignoring the case. I myself had a c-section due to high BP and my doctors immediately transferred me to the Govt hospital which saved both my child's life and mine.Thats how it should be.
Nevin
Khorfakkan,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 11:01
Well i think the first duty of the doctors and nurses in any hospital is to take care of the patient that comes in a critical state. They are supposed to take care of lives not rules !!
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 10:58
Its the hospital at fault. they should have mentioned this earlier to the patient during the stage of the 1st trimester. any premature labour should be attended to immediately as it automatically falls under EMERGENCY status. To save lives are main priorities in hospitals whether govt or private, such inhumane acts should never be left unpunished. When patients fall critically ill, rules and policies should be put aside in order to save lives and not ignore them by saying that it is not equipped. they should've at least attended to the matter and later decided where to admit the patient. This is totally an unexceptable reason from the hospital.
From A Reader
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 10:58
Its really very shocking news, NMC should not do that. They should consider and should treat well,There are lot of cases in UAE that hospital did't care well.
Aamir Sohail
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 10:56
Yeah,
Unfortunately when my 1 year old daughter got burnt severely amounting to 11 % burn we rushed to Badr Al Samaa hospital, who refused to admit her saying its a serious case and should be taken to Govt hospital.
I wish there is an ICU linked with the Govt Hospital and these hospitals atleast entertain such patients and then transfer to the Govt hospitals after First Aid. This could reduce the Trauma for the patients as well as family members.
Faisal Qaiyum
Muscat,Oman
Posted: April 29, 2009, 10:56
In whatever case, hospitals have no right to refuse any patient, especially amother who is about to give birth. Pregnant woman is considered sick thus she must have extra care from the hospital or from her doctor. Does Dr. Shetty knows what she is doing? How come patients less than 35 weeks pregnant are not allowed to be admitted. Isn't it that she has to give more importance to the mother because she was pregnant? That kind of hospitals must be investigated and whoever is liable must face the consequence.
Ces
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 10:12
Whatever the rules o f the hospitals, it's their duty to save the life of an individual and that is the primary duty of the hospital. Earning money is secondary, they should take care of the patient first before anything else. Someone should answer to what had happened to the said patient and why She was refused admission.
Roberto Roy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 10:12
I haven't been able to think straight ever since I read this news. How can a person be so cruel as to turn down a pregnant woman who is in pain , is carrying a unborn premature kid in her womb and is so helpless? I just dont understand this. Is it just me or anyone else too believes that NMC should have the courtesy to "AT LEAST" send her to a better equipped hospital in an ambulance? They just left the woman in her friend's car? What were they thinking? There was every possibility the kid could have died?
Shocking! Unbelievable! Saddening!
Shiraz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 10:10
Its really unacceptable how they can do it.. I condemn the act committed by the hospital and would expect some proper action against the culprits.
Swaroop
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 10:10
As far as i know any hospital has no right to reject the patient, i believed that you can give first aid specially emergency cases..
Jun Ras
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 10:08
NMC has right not to accept the premature delivery, but they should give emergency assistance to transfer the mother who will be born premature child in the nearest and possible hospital that have complete facilities for a case like this. Isn't their major reason for their job is to save people's lives as best as they can? Well.... they forgot what their job is all about or they have different mission and objective....
Rose
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 09:25
What happened to the mother and child is really unfair. Baby is a blessing she or he doesn't deserve this kind of inhuman behaviour. Hospital should have admited them and treated the mother.
Joy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 09:24
That was in-human act by the hospital. May God save baby Ameera's life.
Dotty
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 09:21
I hope justice will be served. It is so disturbing how the hospital staff just carried the pregnant lady on a stetcher and left her in the car,knowing that she was in severe pain. Is it that simple? "We cant help so go back to the car!" Ridiculous
Emily
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 09:19
I am leaast surprised to read this about NMC speciality. The staff there is very lethargic, arrogant
Sisina
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 09:16
NMC Hospital did not guide and advise the patient when it was needed. Neither NMC contacted the Government or other hospitals where such facilities are available/ required to deliver the baby or takle the situation needed. Neither NMC facilitated a ambulance for emergency service to reach the required medical care.
Hospitals should have an emergency plan of such or similar cases and good networking with other hospitals.
Health Department should also clarify their rules in this regard. Also is it clearly understood by the recipients of various private hospitals functioning in this country.
The news is about only one case but there may be many cases unreported.
Mohammad Rafi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 09:16
I will never use this hospital lest even for a finger injury. I am a mother and I totally share Ameera's sentiments.
The hospital and all its staff should be ashamed of themselves.
Zainab
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 09:15
NO the hospital has no rights to turn her away.
They caused the damage to the baby.
Mohammad Hussain
Duabi,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 09:14
I can't understand why the health workers in NMC acted strange in this issue, instead of helping her to be transferred to the other hospital, why they need to turn her down and push her back to her car instead of helping her to reach another hospital in time. (They dont have ambulance?)... Hospitals should help everyone who are need esp. on this case.
Wish this things wont happen again, you should save lives guyssss...
Ehmelie
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 09:14
The rules are made to be followed, we all know that. But the fact that she was suffering, the hospital could at least send her to any public hospital via ambulance. Not like that, that they waited her baby to be born at the backseat of a car and then they came to do their duties (which they are saying is against the rule) when it's too late that the baby almost died. And now that she is thankfully alive she got many complications that made her suffer until now. Very disappointing. I pray for the recovery of the baby and her mother, also that they can get their justice against the hospital.
Lovelyn
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 08:44
what a shame this sort of service is by hospitals. at least they could have arranged an ambulance for her. they should be taught a lesson. so that this will not repeat and harm others. very shameful. inhuman behaviour.
Sunil Landge
Mumbai,India
Posted: April 29, 2009, 08:44
Its was totally wrong to turn down a woman who was in labour. Even if they did not have the facilities they could have at least delivered the baby and transferred her to the another hosiptal. This is not the first time, any or every private hospital runs away from these kind of situations
Fatima
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 08:43
This is really outrageous! The way hospitals are insufficiently equipped. If the mother has been going to the NMC hospital for check-ups then she should have been informed that they didnt have an NICU. and the fact the doctor admitted that they were "not allowed" to admit patients less than 35 weeks pregant is just plain absurd. Please expound on the reasons behind this, Doctor. Emergency cases like these should be waived to that rule. I think NMC needs to significantly revisit there regulations. A life in exchange for your rules is definitely unacceptable
Melden Francia
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 29, 2009, 08:41
