Kin of ‘world’s heaviest woman’ claims Eman critical after surgery, docs deny
Eman Ahmed, the Egyptian woman who came to India in February for treatment, has reportedly lost 242 kg. Eman underwent a bariatric surgery on March 7.
As doctors claim Egyptian Eman Ahmed, 36, ‘the world’s heaviest woman’, has lost massive amount of weight since her surgery, her sister Shaimaa Salim called surgeon Dr Muffazal Lakdawala and the hospital “liars” and claimed they had “put Eman on massive medication to stop her brain activity”.
Officials said this was a tactic by the family to delay Eman’s discharge because no medical facility in Egypt is willing to provide free medical services.
Officials from Saifee Hospital said they have spent more than Rs 2 crore on Eman’s travel, treatment and surgery and separately collected more money through donations around the world.
As doctors from the hospital shared a picture on Monday of Eman watching television, a video, made by Shaimaa, has left everybody in a “state of shock”.
“She [Eman] is very sick. She suffered thrombosis 10 days ago. It’s the second time after she got here,” Shaimaa said in the video. She further alleged Eman is being fed through a feeding tube because of which she is unable to talk or breathe.
Lakdawala said they have already spoken to Counsel General Mr. Ahmad Khalil and HE The Ambassador Mr Hatem Tageldin about allaying the anxiety and fears of the sister Shaimaa in these difficult times.
“It’s my worst nightmare. Not a single hospital or doctor was ready to treat Eman and now when she has lost so much weight, the family is raising questions on a consolidated humanitarian effort, which has saved her life,” said Lakdawala.
“When we demanded a CT scan, they said there is no open machine available in Mumbai. It’s not true,” said Shaimaa. Doctors earlier had said they are waiting for Eman’s weight to reduce further so can fit in a CT scan machine.
“My problem is the hospital isn’t equipped to handle such a (severe) case. These people (only) care about show and propaganda and to appear in the media,” said Shaimaa in the video.
She further alleged Eman’s weight loss is also a lie and she has not lost 240kg or 260kg.
“Eman is critical for the past one-and-a-half months and she has been put on massive medication to stop brain activity. Her face and hand are blue,” said Shaimaa.
She claimed on April 14, when the video was made at 10.30am, no staff or doctors had come to check on Eman and she was ‘really helpless’. “May God forgive them for what they have done. Pray for Eman to leave this place safely and also to cure her,” said Shaimaa in the video.
She also raised questions on the credibility of the hospital officials, saying they aren’t at all polite and are liars. “Dr Muffazal cheated on us. (He is a) liar, he said Eman will be treated and promised that she will be fine and lose weight. Eman is destroyed she has been operated just to show people she lost some weight,” added Shaimaa.
Lakdawala said Shaimaa’s allegations of thrombosis are not true and Eman now weighs about 171kg.
“The weight has come down only because of the diet and calorie intake. The family, after witnessing a weight loss, is now forcing us to make her walk which is not possible as of now,” he added.
“Eman chokes because her sister force-feeds her from mouth. She is still unable to swallow liquids or speak properly and needs a feeding tube,” said doctors from the hospital. They added that as a result of the stroke, Eman’s right side is paralysed and she still develops occasional seizures.
Huzaifa Shehabi, CEO of Saifee Hospital said a video or allegations won’t deter them from their job which is treating the patient. “We do feel disheartened and dejected because since December last year, many doctors, staff, worldwide experts, are looking into the case and then it eventually boils down to these baseless allegations. Our duty is to treat the patient and we will continue doing that,” said Shehabi.