Expecting moms plan to travel home

DUBAI - As the beginning of August witnesses the implementation of the new gynaecological and maternity services fee structure by the Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) with full force, expecting women all over the emirate are having a tough time chalking out their delivery plans.

Asma Ali Zain

Published: Mon 11 Aug 2003, 11:53 AM

Last updated: Wed 1 Apr 2015, 10:11 PM

Khaleej Times spoke to some of the pregnant women in this regard and found out that out of 10, six were planning to travel home for delivery. Two said they would consider continuing antenatals in private hospitals. One said that she had no choice but to pay up, while another was still undecided. Several expecting women in Dubai still gather at hospital corridors with an expectation of some concession.

Safia Khaled, Usha Gupta, Kiran Madhavan and Norma Fernandes are some who had come for registration and appointment at Dubai Hospital. They expressed dismay over the Dubai government's decision and said that they would prefer to travel back to their respecive countries for the delivery.

"I am expecting my first child and I want to take all precautions. Though I know that I will get proper treatment and care in the UAE, I cannot afford to stay back for delivery, because even after registration and initial payment, I will have to pay Dh2,000 for the room, plus other expenses. The total bill might exceed Dh7,000 that I cannot afford," said Norma. "I have no option but to leave," she lamented.

Usha chipped in: "Though the hospital promises better services in return, it is impossible to pay such huge sums. I am surprised. Even if we do not pay for the package, we shall still end up paying a huge bill," she said. Safia Khaled was of the view that private hospital charges were equal to the new Dohms' fees. "I see no point in coming here for a check-up any more. I would rather go to private hospitals as some of them are still cheaper compared to government hospitals. Besides, I won't have to wait for such a long time at a private hospital as I do in government hospitals," she added.

Khadija AbdulRehman, who is preparing for her second delivery, also said that she would prefer to go home. "But then such a step will affect my elder child's studies," she said. Huda Khan, who is expecting her first child, said that she had made no decision on whether she would stay here for delivery or go home.