Friday 26 / April / 2024
Muscat: An Indian woman who works in Oman as a domestic helper was assisted in giving birth by her country’s embassy, after she was unable to travel home to deliver the boy, owing to the current travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The woman had approached the embassy on 8 April, and gave birth to a baby boy. She is currently being quartered with her newborn at an accommodation provided by the embassy.
“The lady approached our teams that run our shelters, and this was referred to our community welfare teams,” said an official at the Indian embassy. “We took her to hospital, paid for her delivery, ensured she received proper care, and even bought some gifts and clothes for the newborn. I am happy to say that both the mother and baby are in good health.”
“We have given the mother and her son a separate room so that they can enjoy some privacy,” he added. “There are other maids who also live at the shelter, and they are also helping take care of him.”
India’s ambassador to Oman, Munu Mahawar, said that during the current COVID-19 outbreak, the embassy would help Indian nationals in the Sultanate who needed assistance.
“This issue of the domestic worker in Oman was one that we considered on the grounds of community welfare,” he explained.
“She could not travel back home to deliver the baby, although she had already made plans to, so we decided to intervene on compassionate grounds and help her. All other Indians who require our assistance during these testing times are requested to approach us for assistance, and we will do what we can to help them.”
