Erb’s Palsy Baby Sakina Ahmed Refused Treatment Over Family’s Immigration Status

An eight month old baby girl, Sakina Ahmed from Southsea in Hampshire, has Erb's Palsy. For those who don't know, this is paralysis of an arm, caused by nerve damage. Usually, as in Sakina's case, this nerve damage is caused by a difficult birth.

Sakina needs surgery on her affected arm- the right- by the age of nine months- just four weeks away.

However, here's the problem. The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Middlesex has refused to treat Sanika, because her family does not currently have the right to live in the UK, which they have applied for.

Her Bangladeshi father, Mohammed Ahmed, worked legally in the UK between 2008 and 2009. However, after his work permit expired, he stayed illegally. Sakina was born in Portsmouth last July.

The hospital says it is following NHS rules on overseas patients. They have offered to treat Sakina as a private patient, but the family cannot afford to pay.

Without the operation, Sakina risks being permanently paralysed in her right arm. A trustee of charity The Erb's Palsy Group told the BBC that ""nine months is generally seen as the cut-off point" for the operation Sakina requires.

This piece is not about judging the Ahmeds' decision to stay on in the UK illegally. This is a question of medical treatment which, if provided in time, would be very likely to prevent a very young child from having a serious disability for life.

I understand that the hospital is following rules. Had Sakina been an adult, I would have agreed with their decision to follow these rules in her case. However, Sakina is a baby. Her parents made the decision to remain in the UK illegally before she was even born. She did not make the decision herself. She does not know it has been made or understand it.

So, personally, I cannot see how it is fair to deny her medical treatment. This case would surely be a reasonable exception to the rule that the hospital is trying to follow.

Sakina's parents are seeking a judicial review of the hospital's decision.

I will be doing everything possible to raise awareness of this case. Readers, please share this post everywhere possible if you share my opinion.