Mumbai, Sep 26 (PTI): The death of Egyptian national Eman Abdul Atti, once believed to be the heaviest woman, has left her well-wishers here in shock and grief, especially those involved in her treatment at a city hospital as they had seen her health "improving" before she was shifted to Abu Dhabi on May 4.

Eman lost her battle against obesity at the Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi today following complications from heart disease, kidney dysfunction and other comorbid conditions.

The 37-year-old weighed about 500 kg when she was admitted in Saifee Hospital in South Mumbai in February, but subsequently shed an astonishing 323 kg while undergoing a series of medical procedures. She was admitted at the hospital on May 4 after arriving in the UAE from India.

Maharashtra Public Health Minister Dr Deepak Sawant expressed grief over her demise.

"It is sad news. When I met her on the day of discharge from Saifee Hospital, all I had hoped and wished for was her better health. I knew it was too much to ask to make her able to walk, but the way her health improved here, I wished the same could happen to her (in Abu Dhabi)," he said.

Eman was shifted to VPS Burjeel Hospital in May. At that time her weight was 176.6 kg.

A resident of Alexandria in Egypt, she had not stepped out of her house for more than two decades due to her obese condition followed by a stroke that left her paralysed on one side a year ago.

She was flown to Mumbai on February 10 in a specialised logistical operation after her sister Shaimaa had approached Mumbai-based bariatric surgeon Muffazal Lakdawala.

She was issued a medical visa hours after the surgeon requested External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for help to let the woman travel to India for her treatment.

"Thanks for bringing this to my notice. We will definitely help her," Swaraj had tweeted in response to the request.

Most of the expenses of Emans treatment were borne by the hospital, which had also received some donations for the purpose. She underwent a bariatric surgery on March 7.

A medical officer, who was part of a team of experts that treated Eman during her stay at the hospital here, expressed shock over her death.

"We never thought something like this will happen to her. She did lose her weight in a short time in Mumbai, as the liquid part was removed first. We have seen her communicating with signs, and when she left from the Saifee hospital she was able to utter a couple of words in Arabic," he said.

The staff at the hospital too expressed disbelief over Emans death.

Eman was allotted a special room at the hospital and was under the care of an array of experts including cardiologists and neurologists.

She was abruptly shifted to UAE after her sister Shaimaa alleged that she was not receiving proper treatment at the city hospital.

Shaimaa had alleged that the doctors at Saifee Hospital, made "false claims" about Emans recovery and weight loss. The claim caused a stir among Egyptians as the local media published Shaimaas accusations along with Indian doctors comments, photos and videos, showing Emans weight loss.

Her death comes few days after she celebrated her 37th birthday on September 9, surrounded by family and friends.

The last message on a social media account created for garnering support for Eman on tumblr read: "We wish Eman every happiness & good health always".

Shaimaa was quoted as saying that Emans death is Gods will and "we accept it". She added that the body will be flown to Egypt tomorrow to be buried in Alexandria.