Dubai Hospital refusing Expat Kidney Dialysis Patients

Expatriate patients in need of kidney dialysis may suffer a stroke if they visit Dubai Hospital as the public hospital that handles most kidney cases has closed its doors to them citing lack of space.

Ghosia Razzaq, a 44-year old, whose kidneys have failed due to high blood pressure and uncontrolled diabetes, was refused treatment at the hospital last Tuesday, said her family. Instead, she was advised to go to Al Qasimi Hospital in Sharjah, run by the Ministry of Health, which provides dialysis to patients free-of-charge.

One session of dialysis alone at a private hospital costs about Dh900, not including treatment, stay and medication. Kidney patients require three sessions a week to live.

The other expatriate patient, from the Philippines, was also refused treatment at Dubai Hospital recently. The 20-something patient, who suffers from high blood pressure, was accepted at a private hospital after her employer agreed to pay her medical bills.

Dr Abdul Razak Al Madani, director of Dubai Hospital, confirmed to Gulf News that the hospital was no longer accepting expatriate patients for dialysis as the centre was full. The hospital can only accommodate about 100 dialysis patients a day.