Came for IVF treatment, UK national stranded in Secunderabad

HYDERABAD: When Shukri Mohamoud landed in New Delhi on January 14, she was set for the long haul. Like many women from across the globe, the UK citizen too came to India for an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment and knew it would be a while before she could return to her home in London. But now, all Shukri wants is to be back with her husband and sister.
“I feel so helpless and lost; I just don’t know what to do,” the distraught 40-year-old told TOI over telephone from her temporary home in Masab Tank.She came to Hyderabad on March 1. “After some unsuccessful visits to clinics in Delhi, I came here and started treatment at a clinic in Secunderabad. I was told it would take three months so I rented a place. About 10-12 days into the process, the doctors suddenly told me they’d have to discontinue it because of the lockdown,” Shukri said, confessing she was caught off guard. But before she could decide to return to the UK, all international flights were suspended.
“Now, I am trapped within this house all alone. I am scared. I appeal to the authorities to please take me home to my family,” she said while, however, thanking the locals for helping her procure daily essentials. “It is a friendly neighbourhood; that’s the only saving grace,” Shukri said.
When TOI reached out to Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to AP and Telangana, he said: “Ensuring the safety and well-being of British nationals is our first priority. My staff and I are working around the clock and in close partnership with the state governments of Telangana and AP to provide assistance. Over the past few weeks, the British Deputy High Commission in Hyderabad and our colleagues across India have supported thousands of British nationals in person, over the phone, on social media and over email. Due to the unprecedented travel restrictions in place around the world as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the UK government has also announced a new partnership with airlines to enable British travellers to fly home. As soon as more details are available, we will publish these on our travel advice and social media channels.”