Emirati boy on life support for 15 years

Fujairah, March 20: Hamad Al Kabi, a clinically dead Emirati boy, is the oldest patient in Dibba Fujairah Hospital, where has has been lying for the past 15 years on life support.

Hamad was taken to hospital after falling into a water basin at his house when he was aged just 11 months. Despite attempts by doctors to medically aid the baby, his condition dramatically deteriorated and he was declared clinically dead.

Now 100cm tall and 30kg in weight, Hamad has been on a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and life support since the accident. The only way to feed him is in the form of liquefied nutrition, which is administered through tubes inserted into his body, according to Dr Abdullah Salem Al Kabi, Director of Dibba Fujairah Hospital.

The boy’s heartbroken father, Mohammad, said: “Once admitted at Dibba Fujairah Hospital, duty doctors initially told me that the baby was dead, yet another doctor found out that the baby’s heart was still beating, but recommended the child taken to Al Mafraq Hospital, where Hamad was said to be suffering clinical death, a matter which had shocked all of us. “We had nothing to do but to yield to God’s will.”

Despite his condition, doctors at the hospital say Hamad still shows emotion — he smiles, weeps and feels sad. Hamad knows his father and mother best, and when they visit him he smiles. When they leave, he sheds tears.

The tragedy occurred when Hamad fell into a water basin in the courtyard of his family home. The toddler was found floating in the water by his mother, who had been talking with visitors.

Hamad was immediately rushed to hospital, where the medial team recommended that he be moved to Al Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi due to the seriousness of the injury. Critically-ill Hamad was airlifted to Al Mafraq Hospital where he underwent tests and was declared clinically dead. He had suffered a cerebral palsy, physical disability, stiff muscles and quadriplegia due to the severe impact of striking the basin.

The boy’s parents have appealed to officials to pay for their child to be moved to Khalifa Hospital or a facility outside of the country for further treatment. Hamad’s father said he has given up hope on administrators at Khalifa Hospital, who tell him that no bed is available for his son.