Dubai’s Crown Prince rushes to rescue ill child

Dubai’s crown prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum rushed to the rescue of a little Emirati girl suffering from brain tumor, ordering a private jet that flew her to Germany on Thursday for treatment.

Lalia Al Baloushi, 7, had been lying in Twam hospital in Al Ain for nearly three months and doctors said she must be sent abroad for treatment after she failed to improve following two surgeries and chemical treatment.

Sheikh Hamdan, also chairman of the Dubai executive council, instructed the health department in the emirate to provide a special aircraft to transport Laila to Munich immediately, Emirat Alyoum daily said.

“Upon learning of Laila’s condition, Sheikh Hamdan ordered that urgent measures are taken to treat her at the best medical centres in the world,” the paper said, quoting the department’s director Qadi Al Maroushid.

“We took all necessary measures to facilitate her travel and provided a special plane that flew Laila and her parents straight to Munich yesterday.”

The paper quoted Laila’s father as saying his daughter had complained of persistent head pains before doctors in Ras Al Khaimah discovered the tumor. He said Twam doctors recommended her immediate travel abroad for treatment after her condition deteriorated despite two operations.

“We had been very upset and sad for her condition and had hoped UAE officials would step in and help us,” he said.

“Sheikh Hamdan’s decision largely alleviated our trauma and we hope my daughter will be saved….I would like to thank Sheikh Hamdan and say that we are not surprised by his gesture as he had always stepped in to help nationals and expatriates.”