Dubai 12-year-old on ventilator can’t go home due to unpaid bills

Dubai: A 12-year-old diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy continues to be on ventilator support since her admission at Dubai Hospital in January.

Cherize Shekri, from India, is alert and fully conscious. The doctors claim that nothing else can be done and that it is the parents’ choice to take her home. However, Cherize will continue to need the ventilator to assist in her breathing.

The parents, faced with a mounting hospital bill in excess of Dh400,000, are unable to pay. The ventilator equipment separately costs Dh150,000.

They told Gulf News that they want to take their daughter home, but are unsure of whether they would be able to afford the ventilator support equipment or her medical care. And even if willing to take the risk, they are unable to cough up the money required to clear the hospital bill.

According to the medical report from the hospital, Cherize was admitted at Dubai Hospital on January 22, 2013 after suffering from breathlessness and unconsciousness. Since admission she has been on ventilator support.

She had collapsed due to excessive carbon dioxide in her lungs. Further tests revealed displacement in the spine, medically referred to as subluxation, for which she underwent a surgery.

In the last six months, the doctors at Dubai Hospital have tried to wean her off the ventilator three times, but it has been reconnected due to her poor respiratory function.

The mother Arabelle Shekri hasn’t been working since January, and the family – with an older son - is struggling to survive on the father’s sole salary. Cherize was granted admission at a special needs school after a four-year wait. Due to her condition, she has lost the opportunity.

Speaking to Gulf News, Arabelle, said, “I would love to take Cherize home, but I am not confident that I would be able to look after her by myself as she is going to be ventilator dependent for the foreseeable future. I urge well-wishers to help us financially.”

The parents would like to take Cherize back to India for a second opinion and further treatment.

Vijay Varghese, one of the social workers from the St Michael’s Church ministry in Sharjah has been trying to assist the Shekri family through counselling and moral support.

“Cherize is a vibrant child and we are trying to reach out for help,” said Varghese.

Gulf News contacted Dubai Hospital under the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to find out how such cases are handled.

A spokesperson said, “When we receive such cases, we request the families to contact charities in the UAE for assistance. Additionally, we also refer them to the social services unit within our hospital. Social workers then contact charities in the UAE and provide complete details of the case, however it is at the discretion of the charity to decide whether to sponsor the case or not.”

The spokesperson added, “In 2012, the social services unit helped families of 300 patients with financial difficulties.”