The issue came to the fore when two Syrian women who were knocked down by a car on Buhaira Corniche recently were refused treatment at a hospital in Sharjah when it was learnt that they were visitors to Dubai.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, a source in the Ministry of Health said that in case a person on a visit visa was admitted to any government hospital in the emirates, the ministry's policy would be to offer treatment first and foremost. Making payments would come at a later stage, and the sponsor would be the responsible person.

Officials in Buhaira  Police station in Sharjah said that accident took place at 12pm in Buhaira Corniche. A speeding Nissan Patrol car driven by a UAE national hit the two women Elham Mohammed and Hoyam Al Ali while they were crossing the road.

A friend of both women said that Kuwaiti Hospital did not provide urgent medical treatment to Elham even though she had broken bones. ''After some argument she was admitted and provided painkillers but we were told that her case was not urgent so all necessary action would be taken on Saturday,'' explained the friend who wished to remain anonymous. He added that, on the other hand, Al Qasimia Hospital took urgent action for the other patient, Hoyam, who had suffered from hip fractures. Both women had been invited to the UAE by Dubai Municipality for a symposium.

According to sources, Dubai Municipality officials responded quickly to the situation, following a prescribed system for such cases. Officials at the civic body told Khaleej Times that the civic body has a set procedure for situations involving its invitees to the emirate. ''The presence of a system helps respond to a situation quickly, saving affected people a lot of suffering and time and efforts as well,'' an official said.

He said the civic body will take care of the medical expenses of the two victims. There was however no official confirmation in this regard.

''Officials from the Syrian Embassy visited their nationals, but did not make any further efforts,'' he said. He also said that the police refused to give them a traffic report which could help them get medical actions and follow legal procedures against the person who committed the accident. ''I want the police to issue a report urgently but they say that I do not have any relationship with the women. I want to ensure that they are shifted back home to complete their treatment,'' he added.

Denying the accusations, the Director of Kuwaiti Hospital, Dr Ahmed Al Zarouni said that the hospital had not refused to treat the two women when it was discovered that they were visitors to the UAE. He said that both women had orthopaedic fractures when they were brought to the hospital and in this case, there was no need to operate upon them urgently as there were other urgent cases waiting in-line as well. ''These girls have been very lucky and have received the necessary treatment,'' he added. He also made it clear that cost of the operation was matter that could be dealt with later, and said it was important to treat the patient first. ''These girls are guests of Dubai Municipality, therefore, the municipality is going to bear the cost though the money matter comes in a later stage,'' he added. He also said that the woman (Elham) had been shifted from Al Kuwaiti Hospital to Al Qasimia, and maybe later to Rashid Hospital in Dubai where she will be operated upon.

Mohammed Al Mashgoni, PRO in Al Qasimia Hospital said that the hospital has taken the necessary action and carried out a surgery on one of the victims. ''Both patients will now be shifted to Rashid Hospital,'' he added.