The families of children facing life threatening heart defects have told of their joy after free surgery was given to underprivileged youngsters by an Abu Dhabi hospital group.
Fifty children have been offered free medical care for serious heart conditions by Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, founder and chairman of Burjeel Holdings, one of the UAE’s largest private hospital providers.
The Golden Heart initiative focused on children impacted by conflict and underprivileged backgrounds, spanning cultural and geographical boundaries to mark entrepreneur MA Yusuffali's 50 years in the Emirates.
Dr Vayalil is married to the daughter of Mr Yusuffali, who is managing director of the LuLu Group, and launched the scheme to provide surgeries at public and private hospitals in Tunisia, Egypt, and India.
It has made a huge difference to all our lives, not just Fathima’s. We are so grateful
Fasalu Rahman
One of those was three-year-old Fathima Hassan from Malappuram in Kerala, India, who had Cornelia De Lange Syndrome diagnosed, a rare genetic condition that restricts growth and development.
Her condition was so severe that her heart failed to grow properly, leading to atrial and ventricular septal defects.
A week after surgery at Lakeshore Hospital – a five-hour drive from the family home – and Fathima is beginning her long road to recovery.
Her father, Fasalu Rahman, was told of the Golden Heart initiative by a friend in Abu Dhabi working at Lifecare Hospital in Musaffah.
“We discovered Fathima had an issue as soon as she was born, and we have been trying to get her care ever since,” said Mr Rahman.
“I consulted one of the paediatric cardiac specialists in Kerala, who suggested she had to go undergo surgery as soon as possible.
“They hoped the hole in her heart would close naturally, but that didn’t happen so it created lots of problems for her.
“She was losing weight and her health was deteriorating, so it was becoming more urgent by the day.”
Vital lifeline
Severity of developmental disability resulting from a congenital heart defect increases with the complexity of the defect.
More than 80 per cent of those with a mild CHD have no disabilities, while more than half with a more critical CHD have some form of impairment.
Mr Rahman and his wife, Mariyam Mumthas, who have two other daughters aged 13 and 9, sold family gold, other valuables and even some land to try to raise the Dh85,000 ($23,000) required to pay for the surgery.
“It was getting very difficult for us to afford this, so without the initiative this surgery probably would not have happened,” said Mr Rahman, who works in his local bakery.
“It has made a huge difference to all our lives, not just Fathima’s. We are so grateful.”
To support children in conflict zones across Africa, special travel permissions had to be obtained for the families involved. In India, the initiative collaborated with government departments to offer high-cost life-saving surgeries that were otherwise not covered under existing schemes.
Every year, more than a million children are born with congenital heart disease worldwide, but just a tiny percentage receive the treatment they need.
Another lucky child was Adam Hany, also from Kerala. The 2-month-old was born with a narrowed aorta – the major artery carrying blood from the heart to the rest of his tiny body.
The defect caused his heart to work harder, leading to high blood pressure and other potentially life threatening problems.
Through the programme, Adam had surgery this week and is now recovering. His parents are hopeful he can make a full recovery and live a full, normal life thanks to the surgery they would not otherwise have been able to afford.
“We were told when he was born Adam needed this surgery by the doctor, but with our financial issues it was not something we could pay for,” said Abdulla Nekarj, the child’s father.
“We waited for two months trying to find a way, and then applied for this fund after we were told by the hospital we may be suitable applicants.”
Transforming lives
Without the surgery, Adam faced serious development issues as his brain was unlikely to fully function, and even more healthcare costs in the future to manage his associated conditions.
The Golden Heart initiative has helped avoid that difficult path for the family.
“We are very happy this has been done,” said Mr Nekarj.
“Adam only has one kidney and some hearing loss, but at least we have been able to manage his heart issues. It is a big relief.”
Experts reviewed each medical record from the hundreds of applicants, and shortlisted candidates based on the severity of their condition and initiative guidelines.
Global experts in the field were then contacted to perform the surgeries and transport arrangements made for each of the families.
The process from application to surgery took just three months.
“It fills our hearts to see these children taking baby steps into their healthier lives through the Golden Heart Initiative,” said Dr Vayalil.
“When we launched this, it received a good response from all quarters – but executing the mission was no easy task.
“With utmost devotion, our doctors and staff worked towards the healing of these little ones.
“This would not have succeeded without their hard work and the families that trusted us.”
Changing visa rules
For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.
Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.
It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.
The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.
The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.
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Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
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THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
EXPATS
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
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Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
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Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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