Letters: March 12, 2014

A grateful resident

Tomorrow is World Kidney Day and I would like to take this as an opportunity to thank the authorities of the UAE for having helped me in the past two years. In November of 2011, my husband rushed me to Al Baraha Hospital in Dubai as I felt very sick. Once I reached the hospital, my blood pressure was 180/200, when the normal level should be 120/80. The doctors immediately admitted me. I was seven months pregnant and it was an extremely scary night for me. The doctors said that there was a very slight chance that my baby would survive. They discussed the situation with my husband and on November 27, they had to do an emergency Caesarean section to remove the baby as his heartbeat was failing. My son was born and he weighed 1.1 kilogrammes. For two whole months, Al Baraha Hospital looked after my baby as though he was their own. My husband and I used to visit the hospital every day to deliver my breast milk for my baby and within 60 days he was ready to be released. The hospital took excellent care of my baby and we felt it was the greatest gift we had ever received. In December of 2012, I was diagnosed with kidney failure. There is no history of kidney disease or anything of that sort in my family. My husband and I were devastated. We spent thousands of dirhams at private hospitals for dialysis but we soon ran out and once again the government came to our aid. Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah provided free dialysis for me and this was followed by a kidney transplant, which was done on September 2, 2013. My brother was the kidney donor. Sheikh Khalifa Hospital in Abu Dhabi treated me with the utmost care and covered my transplant. What the UAE Government has given me and my family was not a new kidney or a new born, they gave us a life… one that was nearly taken from us. I want to express my gratitude towards them. We wish the UAE success in everything that they do and due to their excellent treatment towards people, they will be blessed.

From Ms Cheryll Rose Flavier

Dubai

(NOTE: Letter to run with picture)

Children’s safety

It is very sad to read the disastrous news about children and toddlers falling from the balconies or windows in high-rise buildings (“Child falls to her death from eighth floor”, Gulf News, March 6). A few days ago, a nine-year-old child was the victim of a similar accident and many more have faced such situations before. I blame the parents’ negligence in this subject, because parents should not leave their children unattended for a long period as we don’t know what they might be doing. The child won’t even understand the seriousness of doing such things, like standing in the balcony unattended. Additionally, it is high time the civic authorities, building owners, developers, contractors and consultants take this seriously. It should be compulsory for the balcony’s wall and windows to be high enough from the ground level so that children do not face any danger while standing close to them. I have noticed that windows do not even have any safety measures like grills or barricades where the child if looking out is safe and does not fall from the height. In the future, the concerned authorities should ensure that the buildings when constructed is safe from all the disastrous situations and children are safe even if left unattended. If such steps are not taken seriously, more families might have to face such a disastrous situation and it is really painful to read such news.

From Mr Prasad Warrier

Sharjah

Arrogance and impatience

I don’t think Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be blamed for bad driving (“ADHD blamed for bad driving in the UAE”, Gulf News, March 9). It is purely arrogance and impatience. During my past few months’ experience as a driver I have seen that majority of the drivers are impatient and arrogant. If anyone gives an indication to change lanes, no one is willing to just slow down or give way. The authorities should be very strict with those who break the rules. I would just like to share an example. Two months ago I made a left turn on one of the inner roads close to the National Paints bridge in Sharjah and got fined by the police. I was not aware that this was an unauthorised turn. However, I learnt my lesson and whether the police is watching or not, I do not flout rules. And yet today I see people taking the unauthorised turn deliberately and taking a chance when the police is not there. This is the height of arrogance and disobedience, and definitely not ADHD.

From Ms Reny Varughese

Sharjah

Website comment

Speed kills

Experience counts for safe driving. All of the roads in the UAE are excellent, but are freeways with high speed conditions and people are generally driving in cars that are grossly over powered. “Speed kills” if you drive too fast and too close. It is simply a matter of time before you have an accident. In the rest of the world roads are narrow, hilly, with bends and bad surfaces and of course are compounded with bad weather, and yet accident statistics are not as bad.

From Mr Howard Michael

Dubai

Website comment

Follow the rules

Sorry I don’t agree with this report. I notice violations that could easily cause accidents on a daily basis. These are most likely the result of the motorists not paying attention, not understanding the danger of their actions or not following the lessons that they were taught at driving school. Maybe it is a good idea to make these dangers more known to the public. How else can it be explained that people do not wear their seatbelts, use child seats in cars, turn on their lights or use indicators?

From Mr Frank Fits

Dubai

Website comment

Editors’ note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page.