Dubai: If there’s one thing anyone who knows Khadija Ahmed will vouch for, it’s her bubbly nature and vivaciousness. But as the 35-year-old Pakistani woman now lies listless and intubated in a public hospital in Dubai, her silent battle for life is breaking the hearts of those around her.
Desperate situation
“This can’t be happening to her, she is such a beautiful person inside out,” said Khadija’s younger sister Sadia, holding back tears. “She has been in hospital since September 23 fighting cystic fibrosis, Type II respiratory failure and acute renal failure. I can only pray she turns the corner and is back to her cheerful self.”
But to get a new lease of life, Khadija urgently needs a lung transplant, which her family can ill-afford. Sadia said, “We are in a desperate situation. After seeing Khadija’s medical reports, a hospital in Hyderabad, India, has assured us she can be treated. But they have given us an estimate of $250,000 for the long haul treatment, including a lung transplant she needs.”
She said, “My sister needs Dh1 million to get a new lease of life. But this is a huge amount and we cannot raise it without public support. We would also like to appeal to the Indian authorities to provide us with a visa to travel to India for medical reasons.”
Saidia said Khadija, born and brought up in Dubai, is the eldest of five siblings. “She has been a patient of asthma since her childhood days and was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis later. But somehow her condition was being managed and she was able to pull on. She even worked as a research analyst for a Dubai company for three years. On September 23, we had to rush her to hospital as she suffered a respiratory and renal failure and her condition has only worsened since then.”
According to Khadija’s medical report, she is critical with multi-organ involvement and other complications. “I wish we had the money for her lung transplant. My father and two brothers cannot possibly afford it. Please someone help us save Khadija’s life. We can’t just let her be in this miserable condition,” pleaded. Sadia.
Those who wish to help Khadija can write to editor@xpress4me.com
