
Prime Medical Center Al Nahda
Cardiology, Dermatology, + 6 more
Dear Team,
I have been a patient at your hospital and both of my pregnancies have been managed under your care under the observation of Dr. Meenu Mathur. My first pregnancy was managed by Dr. Meenu Mathur without any concerns, and my second pregnancy was also under her care at Al Nahda, Sharjah.
At 38 weeks of pregnancy, with an expected due date of 17 June, I attended my scheduled appointment with Dr. Meenu Mathur on 4 June. A CTG was performed, and I was informed that the baby was doing well.
However, on 5 June, I noticed reduced fetal movements from the morning onward. As a mother caring for a one-and-a-half-year-old child and being alone at home while my husband was on duty, I faced difficulty reaching medical care immediately. Since I live in Sharjah and the hospital is located in Dubai, arranging transportation took some time.
Concerned about the reduced fetal movements, I visited your Al Nahda, Sharjah clinic on the evening of 5 June. I attempted to book an appointment through the application, but it was not functioning at that time. As Dr. Meenu Mathur was off that day, I attended as a walk-in emergency patient seeking assistance under Dr. Manar Hajali.
Initially, I was informed by Ms. Nisha from the nursing staff (working under Dr. Meenu Mathur) that there were four patients waiting and that I would need to wait for my turn, which I was fully prepared to do. However, within a minute, I was informed that the doctor would not see me and that I should proceed directly to the hospital.
I explained my situation to Ms. Nisha, including my concern regarding reduced fetal movements, the fact that I was alone, and the distance I still needed to travel to the hospital. I specifically requested that someone simply check the baby’s heartbeat to provide reassurance while I made my way to the hospital.
At that point, I was informed that there were other patients waiting and that another patient at 41 hweeks of pregnancy was considered a higher emergency priority than my case. My request was declined. Despite this being a brief and basic assessment that could potentially have been completed within a minute, neither the nursing staff nor Dr. Manar assessed me or performed even a fetal heartbeat check.
When I eventually arrived at the hospital and explained the incident, the nursing staff there expressed concern and advised that, at a minimum, the baby’s heartbeat should have been checked before directing me elsewhere.
Thankfully, my baby was delivered safely the following day.
While I am grateful that the outcome was ultimately positive, I remain deeply concerned by the experience I had at the clinic. A woman at 38 weeks of pregnancy reporting reduced or absent fetal movements should, in my understanding, be treated as an urgent case regardless of physician assignment or patient queue volume. At the very least, a basic assessment or fetal heartbeat check should have been performed before redirecting me.
Following this incident, I escalated my concern through the appropriate channel and met with Mr. Faisel (PRO/Admin) at Prime Clinic, Al Nahda, Sharjah on 13 June. I explained the entire sequence of events and requested that the matter be investigated. Mr. Faisel requested one day to review the incident.
On 14 June, I received a follow-up call. During this discussion, I was informed that my visit occurred on a Friday and that there had been a shortage of doctors on that day. I was also informed that I had crossed my expected labour date. However, this information was factually incorrect, as my due date was 17 June and I attended the clinic on 5 June, which was prior to the due date.
Additionally, I was informed that the doctor’s decision to redirect me to the hospital was made for the betterment of the patient. While I understand and respect clinical judgement, I respectfully disagree with the handling of my case. My concern is not that I was advised to proceed to the hospital, but rather that no immediate assessment or reassurance was provided despite reporting reduced fetal movements and specifically requesting a fetal heartbeat check.
I was distressed, alone, and concerned for my unborn baby. Being told that another patient was “more emergency” than my case without any assessment felt dismissive and inappropriate. Emergency presentations should be assessed individually based on clinical need rather than queue status, physician assignment, or staffing shortages.
I also do not believe that shortage of doctors or the fact that it was a Friday should justify the refusal to perform even a basic assessment before directing a pregnant patient elsewhere.
I believe this situation represents a serious lapse in patient care and raises concerns regarding how emergency presentations are handled within the clinic. No other pregnant patient should have to experience a similar situation during such a vulnerable stage of pregnancy.
I would appreciate a formal review of this incident and an explanation of the clinic’s policy regarding the management of pregnant patients presenting with reduced or absent fetal movements.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Jisha J.