June 18, 2009

The scars remain
This is very tragic ("Children's death: Father seeks answers," Gulf News, June 16). No words could possibly bring about a positive change in the life of the bereaved parents. The scars are permanent. However, a thorough investigation into the events that led to the death of the two innocent children must be conducted and publicised. Further more, anyone found guilty must be punished, irrespective of their stand in society. I don't have sufficient words to sympathise with the devastated parents.
From Mr M. Tarek Seddiqi
Ajman
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No words
I am shocked and very sad. I share the father's pain. No words can express what he must be going through. Those responsible must be severely punished.
From Mr Magdi Fouad
Egypt
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Taking the right decision
I am deeply disturbed after reading the report and offer my condolences to the family . To lose two children at the same time and at a tender age is so difficult to bear. May God give them the strength to cope. My two-year-old son had been vomiting for the past 10 days and was suffering from a high fever, cough and cold. I got the necessary blood tests done, which turned out to be normal. But when he continued to get worse, I switched to another clinic.
From Ms Sammira Mohi Al Deen
Sharjah
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How many affected?
My deepest condolence to the parents. Serious action must be taken, especially against the restaurant. We don't know how many people must have bought the same food. As stated by the father, this shouldn't happen to anyone else. Additionally, the doctors should have been more careful.
From Mr Miraz
Abu Dhabi
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Senseless loss of lives
It's about time the authorities took stringent measures to eradicate such a senseless loss of lives. I hope justice prevails and other parents or anyone for that matter does not have to go through such an ordeal. Patrick [father] and Ann [mother] are close friends of mine and I stand by them and seek answers.
From Mr Charleston Peters
Australia
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Regular checks necessary
Food poisoning is very common, especially in summer. I have fallen sick after eating simple food like vegetables, in summer. It's always better to cook at home and avoid eating under-cooked food. Most people prefer eating out, especially during lunch and dinner. The authorities must make regular checks on the hygiene standards of restaurants and coffee shops.
From Mr Gopalakrishnan
Dubai

Not in vain
I plan to visit Dubai with my family for a holiday next month and will be eating out every day. I hope this case increases checks made by the Dubai authorities on all restaurants, hotels and takeaway outlets, especially to maintain health and hygiene standards. May the deaths of these small children not be in vain and help implement a change that may be needed in Dubai.
From Ms Selina
England
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Justice should prevail
This is truly one of the saddest cases in Dubai. My deepest condolences to the family. It is sad to think that most hospitals operate with an intention of making money and in the process treat patients in an unjust manner. Either the doctors are not qualified to handle such cases or they simply don't care about basic responsibilities. The authorities have to initiate stringent measures to eradicate such incidents. I hope justice prevails. No one should have to go through such an ordeal for a silly mistake that will get forgotten over time.
From Ms Janice
Abu Dhabi
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A victim, too
I hope serious action is taken against the perpetrators. I had suffered from food poisoning a few days ago, but am recovering now. In case of food poisoning, it's good to stop eating all solid foods and drink plenty of purified water.
From Mr Tarek
Dubai
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Being accountable
I had a similar experience with NMC hospital but thankfully my daughter is better now. The hospital did the necessary formalities and simply let her go. This was at around 2am. I had to then take her to another hospital where she was treated very well. I think doctors and staff are at times very casual towards food poisoning and other such issues. Hospitals must take the necessary action for the mistakes made by inexperienced doctors and staff.
From Mr Kashif Patel
Abu Dhabi
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A different poison
What kind of poison was it that the hospitals were unable to diagnose and treat properly? This should not happen to anyone. This case requires extensive investigation.
From Mr Rommel
Dubai
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Don't eat out
The concerned authorities must ensure all cafeterias, restaurants and hotels maintain hygiene standards. This rule must be implemented everywhere. Food poisoning can thus be controlled. Since most families are on holiday mode, there is a greater tendency for people to eat out. This summer, let's avoid eating out as much as possible!
From A Reader
Ajman
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Support
I am sorry for the parents. The children look so beautiful. I support the parents in this terrible period of grief.
From Ms Eleeze
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Right to information
In this day and age, it is very strange that children taken to a hospital could die of food poisoning. It is an outrageous thought and the parents have every right to know what happened. Rest in peace little angels.
From Ms Susie
Dubai
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Low standards
I am deeply saddened by the tragic news. May God give the D'Souza family enough strength to bear this loss. This is really scary news. We feel unsafe and insecure as all of us eat outside at least a couple of times every week! Hope the authorities take appropriate measures to regulate basic amenities such as healthcare and education. Sorry to say but from my experience the standard of healthcare and school education in Dubai is really low.
From Mr Sundar
Dubai
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Good doctors
I've experienced very bad service from most doctors here - they don't take the time to analyse or diagnose. They need an X-ray for the most minor ailments! Please get some good doctors who believe in quality management.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
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Plain and simple
This is the modern age where the pace of technological advancements have been harnessed to establish a healthcare industry with 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 any life threatening accident. It was plain and simple food poisoning. If the children were alive when the doctors first examined them, the hospital could explain the negligence that caused the death. Such practices should be nipped in the bud and the authorities should hold them responsible for 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 society.
From Ms Sagi George
Dubai
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Closed doors
The restaurant must not be allowed to operate again. They must be asked to pay a heavy penalty.
From Mr Aftab Khan
Sharjah
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Revamp
So pathetic. The victims could have been saved as the problem was diagnosed much earlier. It was not serious. The medical field needs to be revamped.
From Mr Baiju Murathankal
Dubai
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Claimed lives
It is such a tragic incident. What are hospitals doing? They don't want to take any responsibility. Is being a doctor such an easy 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.
From Ms Kavita
Dubai
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Keeping watch
The concerned authorities must ensure that such incidents do not recur. Installing cameras in the kitchens of all restaurants could probably ensure a better quality of food is served to the public.
From Mr Jiju Sreedhar
Abu Dhabi
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Root cause
My sympathies for the family effected. Although there is no replacement for them, the authorities must take strong action against the restaurant and hospital to find out the root cause, so that no one else has to go through such trauma.
From Mr Danish J.
Dubai
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