Sunday farewell for Eman, Saifee says 'paying price for being honest'

Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi founded by Indian billionaire Dr Shamsheer Vayalil has promised to treat Eman for one year free of cost. Eman and her sister are likely to move to Abu Dhabi in a regular aircraft on Sunday. The air ambulance team contacted by the hospital to help transport Eman was expected to come to Saifee Hospital on Friday morning but they didn't turn up.

"They have committed to keep Eman there for one year free of cost and make her walk for which I would really wish them luck. They are preparing from their end and the idea is that the hospital is closer home," said Dr Aparna Govil Bhasker, section chief of bariatric surgery, Saifee Hospital.

"We are paying the price of giving the right opinion and being honest," said Huzaifa Shehabi, COO, Saifee Hospital. "I also see this as an instance of another Indian helping Eman. Most of the doctors on the team who visited Eman are also Indian," he added.

The war of words between Saifee Hospital and Shaimaa Selim, Eman's sister, however, does not seem to end. Even as Eman is now set to go to Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, Saifee Hospital approached the VP Road police station on Thursday evening alleging that Shaimaa tried to feed Eman though her mouth.

"Eman is being fed through a tube and we told Shaimaa to follow instructions but she tried to give her water through her mouth," said Dr Aparna Govil Bhasker. "We tried to stop her but she did not listen which is when we had to approach the police," Bhasker. The doctors say it could have cause medical issues for Eman had Shaimaa not been stopped on time.

The police, however, did not register a FIR in the case. "The hospital filed a written complaint but we since it is a medical issue we told them that we cannot interfere," said senior police inspector Suresh Kamble at the police station.

The allegation is vehemently denied by Shaimaa. "I did no such thing. I don't know why they are accusing me this way. I am too scared to even speak to the media now," Shaimaa said.

No independent panel will now see Eman. "There is no need for it since Maharashtra's health minister Dr Deepak Sawant visited her on Thursday and he was happy with her condition. We don't need any other endorsement now," Bhasker said.

Why water's dangerous

Eman is being fed through a tube to avoid the chances of asphyxiation (suffocation). "If the water enters her wind pipe, it could lead to a lot of medical issues since Eman suffers from chest infections and it will become very difficult to treat her," said Dr Bhasker, explaining why they stopped Shimaa from giving her water through the mouth.