Indian woman in Dubai seeks financial help for baby's treatment

A Dubai-based Indian woman has sought financial aid from local residents for treatment of her ill and prematurely-born baby, media reported on Tuesday. Mary Oshiya Kochery Jolly, 28, a contract nurse originally from Kerala, gave birth to a baby boy on May 23.

According to health sources, the baby, however, was born two months premature, with respiratory problems, a possible haemorrhage and severe hyponatremia (low-sodium concentration in the blood) which is associated with congestive heart, liver and kidney failure and pneumonia, Khaleej Times reported. Now, a month after the baby's birth, Mary is facing enormous medical bills and little possibility of being able to pay for continued treatment.

"I was working before, on contract, but now I am not," she said. "The treatment costs about 4,000 Dirhams ($1,089) a day. We have paid 40,000 ($10,890) Dirhams but still owe 95,000 Dirhams ($25,865), as of today."

Mary hopes that local residents see it in their hearts to help her during the holy month of Ramadan. "It is our only option. We have reached out to some Islamic organisations, which are not working until July because of Ramadan," she said.