The father of an Emirati woman left with severe disabilities following routine nose surgery has called for tougher laws on medical malpractice.
Abdullah Rashed, 51, said he will pursue civil action after Dubai Cassation Court upheld a decision to jail three doctors for one year each for their role in the botched operation in April last year.
His daughter Rowdha Almaeeni, now 26, suffered a cardiac arrest and severe brain damage after doctors failed to detect her blood pressure was dropping during the procedure to correct a deviated septum.
She now needs constant medical care.
“When I walked into the operation room, my daughter was shaking and dying while three doctors did nothing but look at her,” Mr Rashed said.
I see my daughter dying every day and its not only for her but for others who may fall victims to such errors, I request that punishments are strengthened and laws are changed
“How could a doctor who has taken an oath allow a grave error like this to happen?
“Her room has been turned into a hospital room with all the medical equipment needed for her condition.”
The defendants, a 59-year-old surgeon, from the Dominican Republic, an anaesthetist, 65, and a technician, 69, were convicted of malpractice.
First Med Day Surgery Centre in Deira, where they worked, was fined Dh300,000.
Ms Almaeeni spent months in hospital in the US before returning to the Emirates.
“She spent four more months in a specialist rehabilitation centre in Abu Dhabi with no changes to her condition,” her father said.
“Sometimes she would scream from pain due to stiffness. A device has been attached to her waist to ease the stiffness and reduce the pain.”
Unsatisfied with the court’s verdict, Mr Rashed confirmed the family will launch a civil lawsuit.
“I’m not happy with the sentence but what can I say? This is the law,” he said.
“I see my daughter dying every day and it’s not only for her but for others who may fall victims to such errors. I request that punishments are strengthened and laws are changed.
“Dozens, including doctors, have taken to social media calling for a change in malpractice law, after the sentence became final.”
The doctors and the technician will be deported after serving their prison terms.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
