ABU DHABI // Noor Mohammed is a man of few words, despite his agony and desperate need for help.
Mr Mohammed, 44, was born in the UAE. Last year, the father of four discovered that he had kidney damage, which complicated a life that he thought he had planned perfectly.
Before his illness, he had just enough money to pay for his children’s tuition fees, which amounted to Dh18,000 a year, and to cover his rent and household expenses.
“The money was barely enough but it covered our expenses,” says Mr Mohammed, whose family is from Bangladesh.
He earns about Dh4,000 a month, and in January he was told that he had to undergo dialysis three times a week so that his kidneys do not shut down.
This is an added expense that he cannot afford.
“My insurance covers most of it but I have to pay 20 per cent of my treatment a session,” Mr Mohammed says.
That means that, every month, he will have to pay Dh2,400 for dialysis
Doctors have told him that he will have to stay on dialysis until a kidney donor is found for Mr Mohammed to have a transplant.
“It’s simple,” he says. “I can’t handle the costs of my treatment because I have to take care of my family. I have to pay for my children’s tuition, rent, food and everything.”
Mr Mohammed says that he had to borrow money from friends for his most recent session.
“I can afford to pay for two more sessions of dialysis but not more than that,” he says.
“Paying for dialysis will mean that I no longer pay for my children’s school or for the roof over our heads.
“This is a headache for me and I am stuck.”
Without dialysis, Mr Mohammed cannot work.
“I get dizzy and start vomiting. My body can’t handle the high amount of ketones,” he says,
Doctors say that his kidney function is at about 10 per cent of normal.
A transplant is inevitable, but dialysis is necessary for now. Mr Mohammed, however, says he is not worried.
“I am in God’s hands. I’ve asked for help and there is nothing more I can do,” he says.
“God is there for my children if anything happens to me.”
Hisham Al Zahrani, manager of Zakat and Social Services at Dar Al Ber, says: “Noor needs assistance to pay for his weekly dialysis sessions.
“He is the sole provider and supporter of a wife and four children.
“Without dialysis, Noor’s life is in danger and he will no longer be able to support his family.”
salnuwais@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
The%20specs
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Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Jawan
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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LOVE%20AGAIN
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5