DUBAI A premature baby battling for life in a private hospital in Dubai has hit international headlines after Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo rallied behind a campaign to save her life.
Dubai-based Goncalo Queiroz, a Portuguese chef, told XPRESS that his wife Eugenia delivered their second child Margarida at the Mediclinic City Hospital on October 28. “But the baby came early - in the 25th week of gestation. She weighed 430 grams and suffered severe complications.”
He said with no insurance or recourse to pay for her treatment, he turned to his Facebook friends for support. But as word about Margarida’s condition got around, help came from the most unimaginable quarter.
Overwhelming response
On November 5, Real Madrid hero Ronaldo posted a link to Baby Margarida’s campaign page with a message saying: “Let’s all support baby Margarida. No help is too small.”
With over 101 million followers, the post went viral and prayers and help poured in from far and wide for the little Dubai girl.
“I have no words to say about the overwhelming support we have received. Ronaldo is a very kind human being. A big, big thank you to him and everyone else who has reached out to us in our difficult time,” Queiroz said.
The 29-year-old, who came to Dubai a year ago, said the family had raised around €100,000 in Portugal for the baby. “We have no idea how long she has to be in hospital and how much her treatment will eventually cost. She is in no shape to travel to Portugal. We want to move her to a public hospital but she is on the waiting list. We just pray that she will turn the corner soon.”
Dr Zahreddin Abusalah, Consultant Neonatologist at the Mediclinic City Hospital, said: “The baby’s condition is critical but stable. She is an extreme pre-term baby and continues to be ventilated. Her head scan was normal and thats a good sign. Her heart scan showed a duct which has been treated. There are concerns still about her feeding. For a baby born in her condition, we expect her to be in hospital for three-four months if she doesn’t develop further complications.”