Dubai Health Authority investigates death of 11-year-old girl at hospital

Dubai: The death of 11-year-old Mouza Ahmad after being admitted to Al Wasl hospital has prompted an investigation by the Dubai Health Authority.

Dr Abdul Kareem Julfar, the Director of the Health Organizing Department at the Authority, said the patient was suffering from rheumatic arthritis since her early childhood. She was admitted to hospital after a bout of vomiting and fever, with information about her eating food outside the house the day before.

Dr Julfar said her case was diagnosed by the hospital team as an emergency case, and she was given the appropriate liquid drips and medication after her lab samples were sent to the hospital lab, but all that did not halt her deteriorating condition, which later led to her death.

He said the authority put together a committee of specialized physicians to investigate the reasons behind the death.

The committee also studied the late child's medical file and the lab tests that were conducted during her stay at the hospital and also listened to what the hospital medical team had to say about the incident.

The committee has also tried to get in touch with the bereaved family of the child to no avail, as the telephone numbers left in the hospital record do not answer.

Dr Julfar asserted that the authority is still keen to reach the child's parents through official channels.

He also said he believes the committee will reach a final verdict in the coming couple of days and the result of the investigation will be announced.