KT impact: Parents of ailing Pakistani children surprised after support from Indians in UAE

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KT impact: Parents of ailing Pakistani children surprised after support from Indians in UAE
Pakistani family with Dr Amin El Gohary at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi.-Supplied photo

Abu Dhabi - The parents couldn't afford medical care as the family faced a crisis after their business went bust.

by

Ashwani Kumar

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Published: Tue 17 Dec 2019, 3:38 PM

As support poured in for the treatment of two ailing Pakistani children following a report in Khaleej Times, their parents are surprised over the help they received from Indian expats in the UAE.
An Abu Dhabi-based hospital has given second life to five-year-old Mohammed Abban, who suffered from hypospadias - a congenital condition in which the opening of the urethra is on the underside of the organ. His four-year-old brother Mohammed Ariz has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and symptoms of autism. Their parents - Ahmed Ghulam and Mahjabeen Ahmed - couldn't afford medical care as the family faced crisis after business went bust.
Khaleej Times' November 17 report 'Pakistani couple in UAE desperate to save kids with serious ailments' turned things around for the Pakistani family. Burjeel Hospital, where Abban was born, conducted free surgery for the five-year-old and offered to look into Ariz's case.
However, what surprised the parents was the support they received from expats of all nationalities. Overcome with emotions, Mahjabeen said humanity has helped them turn the corner in life.
"We wholeheartedly thank media, hospital and community members. Our life is now slowly returning to normalcy with help from all quarters. We received many phone calls and assistance from Pakistani community, but were surprised by an equal support from Indians. This shows there is no Hindu-Muslim divide among the people of these countries. We even received aid from blue-collar Indian workers. We don't have words to describe the feeling. Now our younger kid will also receive treatment," Mahjabeen said.
Dr Amin El Gohary, consultant, paediatric surgery at Burjeel Hospital, said the abnormality of Abban was treated with delicate procedure and it was successful one.
"The abnormality would have affected his future life. But Abban is normal now," El Gohary said.
Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, chairman and managing director, VPS Healthcare, said that he came to know about the sufferings of the family from the Khaleej Times report.
"We reached out to the family. It's important that the children receive necessary treatment. As parents had feared, the condition could have worsened without appropriate care. Our priority is to give treatment to those in need," Dr Shamsheer said.
Burjeel Hospital CEO John Sunil said VPS Healthcare has always been empathetic to needy patients and will take up Ariz's case.
"Burjeel Hospital has conducted over 100 free cardiac surgeries so far. We are still continuing this. Even in this case, we are looking at the possibility of what could be done to help the second child," Sunil added.
Ahmed Ghulam said he hopes find a stable job soon. "I have a civil case in connection with my business. Inshallah, there will be a way out for this. I am grateful my kids are now secured. We had feared worse," Ghulam said.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com


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