TRANSIT TRAVELLER GOES INTO LABOUR AT AIRPORT, GIVES BIRTH TO TRIPLETS
dubai — A pregnant Syrian traveller who was on a stopover at the Dubai airport suddenly went into labour while waiting for her flight. Thanks to the authorities’ quick response, she was able to get an entry visa in half an hour and safely give birth to triplets at a UAE hospital.
The 29-year-old woman, Eman Al Aqla, was a transit passenger from Oman who was supposed to fly to Lebanon in September. Besides being pregnant with triplets, she was travelling with her three children.
It had been a long, exhausting journey for Eman and her kids. Before they reached Dubai, they had already travelled from Syria to Oman but they were denied entry.
“When I was in Syria, doctors said I might give birth to the triplets earlier than expected,” Eman said. Knowing the current situation in her homeland, Eman’s husband, who is currently living in Oman, thought of moving her to his city so he could take care of her and provide her with better medical services.
All was set, but upon arriving in Oman, she and her kids were not allowed to leave the airport because there was a problem in their visa application.
At that point, Eman — who was already exhausted from the trip — decided to book a flight to Lebanon, planning to give birth in Beirut and stay there until she could travel again.
My dream is to stay here in UAE with my family. I hope my husband can also come here in Abu Dhabi and live with me and my six children.” Eman Al Aqla, transit passenger
GDRFA chief finds Eman
When the family landed in Dubai for a stopover, Eman looked weak and stressed out. Before she knew it, her labour had already begun.
Maj-Gen Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director-general of the emirate’s General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), was passing through the airport when he saw Eman.
Upon learning about her condition, he asked her to apply for a UAE visa and directed the authorities to immediately approve the papers for her and her three kids. From that point on, the team had stayed by Eman’s side until she reached Abu Dhabi, where her sister lives.
When she finally gave birth to two healthy baby girls and one baby boy, Eman couldn’t thank the authorities enough.
“My dream is to stay here in UAE with my children and my husband. I hope that he can also come here in Abu Dhabi and live with me and my six children, this is my only wish,” she added. She and her kids are now staying in Al Shamkha area.