UAE expat blames Sharjah hospital's negligence for daughter's death

Areej Haider Fouad died several days after giving birth to her baby via caesarean section at Al Qassimi Hospital. Her father blames the hospital's negligence for her death. Courtesy Al Ittihad

SHARJAH // A Sudanese expatriate has filed a complaint against a Sharjah hospital following the death of his daughter shortly after she gave birth.

Areej Haider Fouad, 30, died of complications several days after delivering her baby via caesarean section at Al Qassimi Hospital.

Her father, Haider Fouad, has since accused the hospital of negligence.

According to Mr Fouad, a journalist, his daughter was discharged after giving birth on August 21. She had to be re-admitted after twice visiting the hospital to complain about stomach pains.

Last Friday at the hospital, at 7am, Ms Fouad was found unresponsive by her sister. Medical staff called to her room pronounced her dead.

Her body was taken to a forensic laboratory on the same day to determine the cause of her death - the report is due to be released this week.

She was returned to her family the next day for burial in accordance to Islamic practice.

As with the hospital's practice, a medical investigation team from Al Qassimi hospital will investigate the matter further and is expected to release their findings today.

"The two reports from forensic and one from the medical committee will used for the investigations," said Dr Arif Al Noryani the CEO of Al Qassimi hospital.

According to the doctor who treated Ms Fouad, three specialist doctors attended to the deceased. When she returned to the hospital complaining of abdominal pains, a CT scan showed acute inflamation in her pancreas. A surgery was immediately ordered and it was a success.

Ms Fouad had been married for less than a year. This was her first pregnancy and her newborn daughter is healthy and being cared for by the family.

Dr Al Noryani said that after Ms Fouad's child was delivered, the mother had a high temperature and was asked by doctors to stay at the hospital for further treatments. However she insisted on being discharged, according to Al Ittihad, the Arabic-language sister paper of The National.

Ms Fouad then signed a document attesting that she takes full responsibility for her decision, Dr Al Noryani said.

“Now, if the hospital is vindicated, who will hold to account whoever wronged this hospital and stained its reputation by accusing it of negligence?” he asked rhetorically.