When Imelda became pregnant, she resigned from her job, as the workload was heavy and unmanageable. She also didn’t fully understand her maternity rights and protection. Her efforts to find a new employer who would accept her pregnancy was futile and going back to her home country was not an option, as she needed her partner’s support.
Imelda faced great uncertainty with her immigration status, which prevented her from accessing public healthcare, vital to Joshua’s healthy development. With support from our partners at Central Health and Matilda Hospital, we provided basic prenatal check-ups and an ultrasound until Imelda was able to receive support from International Social Service (ISS). She was then able to go for antenatal follow-ups in the public system and delivered Joshua at Tuen Mun Hospital.
As Joshua’s father was a Hong Kong permanent resident, we were able to support to ensure Joshua also received this immigration status.
