Obstructing justice
Last week I called the police three times after my car was blocked by another in a designated parking space. Two of the three cars causing the obstructions had mobile numbers displayed on the windshield. After calling the numbers displayed, I waited a long time for these errant drivers. None - including one "lady" who took 45 minutes to appear - said sorry! Do the police not record these complaints of obstruction and fine them for wasting valuable police time? If they do not, they should, as this behaviour is now commonplace and reaching epic proportions.
From Ms Maria H.
UAE

Shocking case
It was very shocking to hear about the pregnant woman being ignored by hospital staff ("Baby born in back of car after hospital refuses to admit mum", Gulf News, April 23)! How could the hospital just leave the patient in her friend's car? Aren't they supposed to help the patient and take her to a government hospital? Additionally, they should have informed the husband beforehand, so that he wouldn't have to go from one hospital to another in search of an incubator! I was very upset to read about this case.
From Ms Fariha Akif
Sharjah
Website comment

Walk in her shoes
It would be interesting to note the reaction of the doctor if she was in the same situation as the pregnant woman. Wheeling the patient out into a car puts into question the professionalism of the hospital, which till now was reputed for its medical proficiency. Well done!
From Mr Shiv
Dubai
Website comment

Ridiculous behaviour
Hospitals that have such cases should be questioned by the authorities, as it is inhumane to abandon a pregnant woman, without at least providing her with an ambulance to another hospital. Even if the hospital did not have any facilities for the baby as it was premature, they should have at least provided an ambulance service! It is ridiculous.
From Ms Maya
Dubai
Website comment

Better treatment
Doctors in private hospitals should brief patients and inform them that in case of emergencies, they could be treated in a public or government hospital. In this manner, the patient would be aware and not waste time. Instead, she could directly approach a public hospital. Despite having the best international medical insurance coverage, I opted to give birth to both my children at a government hospital in Dubai, as I knew they are better equipped - especially when it comes to their neonatal intensive care unit - than any private hospital. They proved me right!
From Ms Anita D'silva
Dubai

Unclear motives
If the doctors at the hospital are insisting that they are not supposed to handle deliveries for premature babies, why did they provide regular prenatal check-ups for the woman in the first place? They neglected her just when she urgently required medical help. They did not just put the baby's life in danger, but the mother's too.
From Mr Tarek Jaffar
Fujairah

Sad story
Why in the world wasn't the pregnant woman taken by ambulance to any other nearby government hospital? This is a very sad story indeed. If I had come into the hospital with a premature delivery situation, I would have expected to be immediately transported by ambulance or helicopter to the nearest hospital available for delivery. My prayers are with the family and with the hospital and health authorities to ensure patients' safety.
From Ms Celeste Michele Roberts
Dubai

Home coming
This is in response to the comment by Francis Matthew regarding child abuse ("Child Protection Law important," Gulf News, April 22). I am blessed with three children who are excelling in class even without my presence, as I work in Dubai to support them. I ensure I extend my love and discipline to them all the time. Twenty per cent of my Dh2,000 salary goes to paying phone bills which I accumulate in calling home. It's just to feel my children and hold them tight in my heart by means of a mobile phone. My view in this issue is that neither the authorities nor the schools should love and discipline young children. It should be the parents. If you want to develop your children to become good people, do all you can to love them and make them feel important.
From Ms Corazon Tarcena
Dubai

Parents infusing fear
It is alarming to know that such spiteful practices continue to occur in our society. It is a great crime committed against innocent children and shows how parents infuse fear in the minds of their children. It also indicates the brutal and inhuman measures taken up by the young girl's parents to discipline her. Parents must understand that love, forgiveness and patience are the important factors for a child's upbringing. It is only then that the child begins to reflect the values that are taught to him/her. Stringent laws should be made and implemented effectively in order to stop any such forms of child abuse. I pray for the young girl's speedy recovery and sincerely hope that child abuse of any sort will be put to an end not only in our society but in the entire world, too.
From Ms Rashmi Menon
Sharjah

Way to go
There are numerous letters condemning people who drive fast, tailgate and change lanes frequently or dangerously and I agree with them. I also agree that drivers should not honk when the traffic light turns green. However, the flip side is that it is also "respectful and courteous" to move into slower lanes whenever possible; and to move through green lights expeditiously so that others may also go through.
From Mr Zaki Anderson
Dubai

Half way there
There are two actions the authorities could take ("Drive to fight child obesity under way," Gulf News, April 20). One would be to ban junk food in school canteens, including private schools. With many children consuming pizzas or fries for breakfast, it is no wonder then that many become obese. Additionally, compulsory sports programmes must be implemented in all schools, where children can play both indoors and outdoors, irrespective of the weather conditions. Interschool sport leagues should be established to encourage competition and drive sport forward and sustain it. Most schools might not do this on their own initiative as it involves extra expense and organisation. It needs the political will of the authorities to ensure its establishment. By declaring their intent they are half way there. Let's see some action, please, for the sake of our children.
From Ms Callan Emery
Dubai

Encourage using buses
I commute from Sharjah's old Skyline College road to Dubai every day and there is no bus facility on this road. I request the authorities to start a bus service that would ply from Al Qusais to the Rolla area via the old Skyline College road and back. This would allow many students to use public transport instead of private cars and taxis.
From Dr A. Rayyan
Dubai