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15 medical experts await world's heaviest woman in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - She was medically evacuated to Saifee Hospital in Mumbai to go under a bariatric surgery after suffering from a stroke

An army of medical experts from Burjeel Hospital are all prepared to receive the world's heaviest woman when she arrives from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening.
Dr Shajir Gaffar, CEO of VPS Healthcare, Dubai and Northern Emirates and Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery, who flew from the UAE Capital to Mumbai to accompany the patient, told Khaleej Times that the hospital is ready and well-prepared for Eman Abdul Atti, who will be medically evacuated on a special airbus. "At present, we have a team of 15 members of multi-disciplinary approach in Abu Dhabi.
"We have aviation doctors, paramedics, logistics support, nurses - they are all on ground here (Mumbai) for her safe medical transportation tomorrow from Saifee Hospital.
"Inside the flight, there will be five experts accompanying her, including doctors, aviation medicine doctor and a senior flight paramedic.
The 36-year-old Egyptian woman, who has not left her house in Alexandria for 25 years, was named as the world's heaviest woman when her body weight reached a deadly 500kg. She was medically evacuated to Saifee Hospital in Mumbai to go under a bariatric surgery after suffering from a stroke, which left her bedridden.
Abdul Atti's condition caused her to suffer from obesity-related leymphoedema, which led to severe swelling in the legs.
Doctors at Saifee Hosptial claim that Abul Atti's weight has now reached 176kg. However, her sister Shaima Selim, who has not left her side, begs to differ.
After the dispute between Abdul Atti's family and Dr Maffazal Lakdawala, Abdul Atti's bariatric surgeon at Saifee Hospital, the family contacted Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi for help.
"Some miscommunication happened between the hospital and the patient, and that's when the patient's family contacted us."
Sanet Mayer, director of Burjeel's Medevac unit, told Khaleej Times that Abdul Atti will go through various medical assessments which will determine her health condition as well as her true weight.
She said the patient is currently being fed a special liquid diet via a naso-jejunal feeding tube, and will be transported on a special bed to the airport.
"She can understand some commands, but she is unable to complete sentences or speak words that people can understand.
"We have taken into consideration all the risk factors, (during flight), that are going hand in hand with medical evacuation of a patient with altitude pressures.
"Regarding her oxygen levels, we will take care of it. We are well equipped to manage any situations that may arise."
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com
 
Preparations in Abu Dhabi
Sanet Mayer, director of Burjeel's Medevac unit, said that the length of the patient's stay in the Capital is undetermined and the hospital will take as long as they need to, in order to complete the rehabilitation of the patient.
"We will ensure that her health status is improved before we discharge her," added Mayer.
She confirmed that everything is ready and prepared - she has a specialised room for her and the family, and she has a bariatric bed, which prevents bed sores for long term patients."
She noted that the medical team from Burjeel Hospital have not yet observed her weight, and will evaluate the patient once she is in Abu Dhabi.
"The sister of the patient will be with her in Abu Dhabi, and the family will be visiting as well."
Dr Gaffar said that ensuring Iman arrives safely to the UAE is what is most crucial at the present stage.
"We are all working on the safe transportation for tomorrow. As of now, I would say health and safety is our priority."
Dr Gaffar said Abul Atti's treatment in Burjeel has been thoroughly planned.
"We will have a complete rehabilitation, physically and psychologically, when she's in Abu Dhabi."
Although Abdul Atti's severe health condition has caught the world by storm, Dr Gaffar and his team are optimistic about her healing process.
"It all depends on her improvement, we will give all our best. We want to improve the quality of her life and get her back to normal."
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com
 
Eman's journey, till now...
October 24, 2016: At 500kg, Eman Abdul Atti declared world's heaviest woman
December 6, 2016: Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj offers help to her
February 11, 2017: Eman reaches Mumbai for treatment
February 22, 2017: A Bollywood superstar's mother donates Dh55,000 for her treatment
March 9, 2017: She undergoes weight-loss surgery in India
April 25, 2017: Indian doctors claim her weight has come down to 176kg after treatment, but her sister disagrees
April 30, 2017: Eman's family decides to shift her to the UAE for treatment