Nepalese baby at centre of immigration struggle dies

The 8-month-old Nepalese boy at the centre of an immigration struggle last month has died.

Pranav Sharma, who was born in Palmerston North Hospital in February with severe congenital illnesses, was the reason immigration authorities allowed his mother and sister to stay in New Zealand after his father had to return to his native Nepal.

Pranav was a New Zealand citizen, and his fragile condition meant it was dangerous to move him, so the Immigration Service allowed his mother, Bandana Sharma Poudyal, and Pranav's sister, Shreeya, 7, to stay until he was well enough to travel.

He died last week after being taken into hospital, family friend Val McCullough said.

"It's such a shame, because he was doing so well," she said. "He was putting on weight and he seemed to be getting stronger.

"He was unsettled on the Sunday night and his mum took him to hospital around midday. He died later that evening."

The funeral is being held today, and Pranav's father, Shyam Sharma, was due in Palmerston North yesterday from Nepal.

The Sharma family lived in Palmerston North for two years while Mr Sharma studied for a master's in veterinary sciences at Massey University, as part of a New Zealand overseas aid scholarship.

One of the scholarship conditions was that Mr Sharma would return to Nepal once his studies were complete.

But the family asked for an exemption after Pranav was born because medical care was not available in Nepal.

In September, local MP Steve Maharey said the medical information he had received suggested Pranav would be well enough to travel to Nepal by the start of October.

The family would return to Nepal in two weeks, Mrs McCullough said.

"It is really hard on them, especially Shreeya. She doesn't really remember Nepal and all her friends are here."

- NZPA