Baby born mid-air, Filipino mother concerned

Kolkata, 19 Feb 2013 (IANS): A Philippines national who gave birth to a baby girl out of wedlock on board a flight is worried about her daughter’s future.

 

Kyamko Jina Sepulvuda, who gave birth to the child on board the Manila-bound Emirates Airlines flight from Dubai Feb 7, is concerned about the baby, who is currently being monitored in a private hospital in the city.

 

"The father has been informed. He has said he will help to take care of the baby but I am not sure what will happen in the future," Sepulvuda, 30, told IANS.

 

Sepulvuda, who went into labour mid-air, was admitted to the Charnock Hospital of Kolkata after pilots of the Emirates flight EK 332 made a priority landing at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport following the birth of the infant aboard the aircraft.

 

"The mother was fine when she came in as she had a normal delivery. The baby was alright too. On the second day, the baby contracted an infection but she is fine now," Ipsita Kundu, general manager of Charnock Hospital, told IANS.

 

Kundu added: "Sepulvuda was discharged from the neo-natal care unit yesterday (Monday). Both are medically fit to travel."

 

Sepulvuda wants to return to Manila "as soon as possible" and is awaiting travel documents for the child to be issued.

 

"I hope my relatives will accept the child," Sepulvuda said.

 

"We are awaiting the travel documents to be issued by the authorities in Delhi. It will arrive in a day or two, after which the baby can be repatriated to the Philippines," an official of the Philippines consulate here told IANS.