Sharjah: An Emirati teenager with a life-threatening heart condition has been airlifted to a Paris hospital for treatment following a gesture by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who will cover all her expenses.
Shaikh Mohammad ordered the urgent transfer of 15-year-old Hamda Abdul Rahman Ebrahim to Paris and offered to pay for her transport, stay and treatment after he learnt about the girl’s case following the Ministry of Health’s call for help.
Upon his directives, Hamda was transported by air ambulance from Al Qasimi Hospital to Sharjah International Airport
She travelled on Tuesday morning on-board an aircraft equipped with the latest medical equipment as well as medical staff.
Nasser Khalifa Al Budoor, Assistant Undersecretary and Director of Dubai Medical District, said that Shaikh Mohammad had ordered Hamda travel to Paris for treatment as soon as possible.
Dr Arif Al Nooryani, Executive Director and Consultant Cardiologist at Al Qasimi Hospital told Gulf News that the teenage suffered from chronic heart failure.
He said she was transferred from Kalba Hospital to Al Qasimi Hospital last week.
“Her heart stopped and we fixed an external pump to revive her heart. For more than half an hour there was no response from the girl. We lost hope, but later she responded and opened her eyes,” he said.
“We communicated with the Ministry of Health, who in turn contacted the office of Shaikh Mohammad, who in his turn offered the treatment at his expense.”
Dr Al Nooryani said: “We will continue to follow up her case even in Paris.”