Family of Emirati woman in coma after nose surgery appoints lawyer

A Dubai lawyer will represent the family’s case against the clinic in court

Isa Bin Haider, the founder and chief executive of Bin Haider Advocates & Legal Consultants, will represent the Almaeeni family in court. Bin Haider Advocates & Legal Consultants

The family of an Emirati woman who fell into a coma after routine nose surgery in Dubai has appointed a lawyer to represent their case against the clinic.

Isa Bin Haider, chief executive of Bin Haider Advocates and Legal Consultants, a law firm in the emirate, has taken the Almaeeni family’s case free of charge.

The parents of Rowda Almaeeni, 24, accuse First Med Day Surgery Centre of medical malpractice after a procedure to correct a deviated septum left her in a coma.

“The obvious malpractice that Rowda, a young Emirati woman, has suffered cannot be ignored,” Mr Bin Haider said on Wednesday.

“Whoever is responsible for this situation must, and will, be held accountable. We will do everything we can to provide support for the family of this brave young woman, including waiving all of the legal costs and fees.”

On April 23, doctors failed to notice Ms Almaeeni’s rapid drop in blood pressure during what should have been a straightforward two-hour procedure.

Five hours later, the doctors wheeled her out of the back door of the centre to transfer her to another hospital. She was then airlifted to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where she currently lies unresponsive in intensive care.

Ms Almaeeni's father, Abdullah Rashed Almaeeni, 50, previously told The National his family was devastated over what had happened to his daughter.

“I don’t know how much of her brain has been damaged and I am too afraid to ask,” he said.

“All we pray for is for her to respond to us. Her eyes will flutter and then she closes them again – she does not respond to anything.”

Dubai Health Authority launched an immediate investigation into the incident with preliminary findings revealing evidence of medical negligence in the management of the case.

The two physicians involved in Rowdha’s surgery at the centre, in Muraqqabat, Deira, have been barred from performing surgery until the investigation is complete.

Believing her only hope for recovery is to seek treatment abroad, the family now plan to fly Ms Almaeeni to the US to see a specialist.

The medical expenses abroad will be paid for by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court upon orders from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, who is also Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.