Egyptian national Eman Ahmed, who came to India as the world's heaviest person and is being treated for obesity here, would soon be shifted to a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
The city-based Saifee Hospital today announced that Eman would be shifted to Burjeel Hospital in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The development comes amid allegations by Eman's sister Shaimaa Selim that she was not receiving proper treatment at Saifee Hospital and was having seizures.
The privately-owned Saifee Hospital today also claimed that from 500 kg last year, Eman now weighs 176 kg.
Burjeel Hospital is a part of VPS Healthcare group whose team of doctors had visited Eman here yesterday on the request of Shaimaa.
Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, MD of VPS Healthcare, arrived here today and met the authorities at Saifee, said Shaimaa, who is staying here with her sister.
A statement issued this afternoon by Dr Aparna Bhaskar, section chief of bariatric surgery at Saifee Hospital, said, "As the treatment here concludes, Eman is being shifted to Burjeel Hospital in UAE (a hospital initially introduced to the family by Dr Lakdawala)."
Secondary physiotherapy will continue over there as it is closer to home for Eman and her family.
"The team of doctors at Saifee Hospital has done a fabulous job and her recovery has been unprecedented. She is stable and all parameters are under control. She will continue to need neurological rehabilitation and physiotherapy.
"She came on a chartered cargo plane and goes back as a passenger on a flight in Business Class... Eman Ahmed who weighed 500 kg as on 23/9/16 weighs 176.6 kg today," Dr Bhaskar said.
Shaimaa had recently alleged that the doctors at Saifee hospital made false claims about Eman's weight loss of 262 kg. Refuting the allegations, Dr Bhaskar had said on Tuesday that Shaimaa may be criticising the doctors to extend her sister's stay at the hospital.
In an online video, Shaimaa had also said that Dr Muffazal Lakdawala, the bariatric surgeon who led the team of doctors treating Eman, made "false claims" about her complete recovery and weight loss. Dr Lakdawala had refuted the charge.
Last month, Eman underwent bariatric surgery in which doctors had claimed to have reduced her stomach size by two- third, so as to reduce the food intake.
Maharashtra Health Minister criticises Eman's sister
Maharashtra Health Minister Deepak Sawant today visited Eman at the Saifee Hospital and criticised Shaimaa Selim saying her allegations would harm the medical tourism sector in India.
"I've personally visited Saifee Hospital to meet Eman Ahmed ji. We are proud of Dr. Lakdawala and the entire team for the success achieved in treatment of Eman Ahmed for obesity. In spite of multiple complications like hypothyroidism; cardiovascular; respiratory probs; hypertension, weight reduction achievd is commendable," he said in a series of tweets.
Speaking to reporters, Sawant said that Shaimaa's allegations "would affect the medical tourism sector".
"Eman has lost significant weight and it shows in various tests. Blaming the doctors irrespective of this is wrong," the minister said.
The Government of India had extended help to Eman and her sister for speedy processing of visa applications before their arrival here in February for treatment, and the state government too supported them, Sawant pointed out.
(With PTI inputs)
