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Kenyan mum and newborn stranded in Dubai over Sh400k maternity bill


A Kenyan mum is stranded in Dubai after failing to clear a maternity bill of sh402, 000.

The 28-year-old woman only identified as Jedidah went to Dubai in February 2017 under a one month visit visa while four months pregnant.

She told by Gulf News Express newspaper that she failed to secure a job and in no time was nine months pregnant.

“I was four months pregnant at the time but separated from my husband. I wanted to get away from my circumstances back home, so I came here hoping to find employment. But that was not to be as I am still jobless and in a complete mess,” she told the newspaper.

RETURN HOME

“I wanted to surrender myself to the authorities and present my case to them, so I could return home for my delivery,” she said.

She however could not find the heart to go to the authorities and so she sought help at a women and children shelter.

PHOTO | COURTESY
PHOTO | COURTESY

The shelter put her up at a hotel but she was told to vacate the next day.

“With nowhere to go, I went to the nearest metro station and sat there crying,” she narrated.

A passer-by assisted her to get to a hospital where she delivered a baby girl. She now has a sh402,694 (Dh 14,277) maternity bill that she can’t clear and her passport has been confiscated.

BABY THREE MONTHS OLD

“I still do not have my passport. My baby girl is already three months old and has not had her vaccination shots since I don’t have any money. I cannot go back to Kenya until I clear my hospital dues and get my passport back,” she told Gulf News Express.

The newspaper has shared the email address editor@xpress4me.com to be used in case anyone would like to assist Jedidah.