Pakistani girl goes home after over 5 years in Dubai hospital

For six long years of her short life, Laiba Jibran has seen nothing but hospital surroundings and machines that breathe for her and tubes that feed her.

The Pakistani girl, who was born in Dubai, has been in hospital since she was six-months-old after being diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy.

But just a week ago, Laiba was shifted home to be taken care of by her family after Latifa Hospital and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) under its Mosaadah programme generously gifted them a ventilator, a bed and other equipment needed for her survival and good care with her family surrounding her.

The genetic condition causes progressive loss of movement and muscle weakness as a result of muscle wasting (atrophy). The condition may affect crawling and walking ability, arm, hand, head and neck movement, breathing and swallowing. In Laiba's case, she is unable to breathe and swallow on her own.

"She was six months old when she fell ill with pneumonia. After that episode, she had problems breathing," said Anam, Laiba's mother, while speaking to Khaleej Times.

"Doctors told us then that she suffered from this genetic condition and will never recover," she said. The family then took her back to Pakistan for a second opinion but the doctors, after tests, confirmed that Laiba would need a ventilator all her life.

Since then, Laiba was taken care of by the staff at Latifa Hospital until earlier this year when doctors advised the family to take care of her at home.

Till the time Laiba was discharged, the cost of her treatment amounted to Dh7 million and social workers at the hospital worked tirelessly with various NGO's to raise the funds. With the cooperation with the Embassy of Pakistan, the hospital also provided her with all necessary equipment costing Dh80,000, including a medical bed, and trained her mother how to use it.

"We cannot afford her long-term treatment and we are very grateful for the hospital for taking care of Laiba for so many years," said Anam.

A spokesperson for the Pakistani Consulate in Dubai said that they had coordinated with the hospital to make all the arrangements for Laiba. "The Consul-General of Pakistan, Brig (Rtd) Syed Javed Hassan, will soon visit the hospital to present them with a letter of appreciation and a shield for the great humanitarian work they have done for a Pakistani national," he said.

Those interested in donating funds for such patients may call representatives of the Mosaadah (assistance) programme at the Dubai Health Authority on 04 2197474.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com 

• Dubai
• Pakistan