University in shock at baby's death on campus

The death of a newborn baby girl found wrapped in a plastic bag in the grounds of an Otago University hall of residence on Saturday night has shocked students and medical professionals.

Students association welfare officer Aine Ni Bhroin said the predicament of the baby's mother left many people devastated and sad.

The 20-year-old second-year international student was admitted to Dunedin Hospital on Saturday afternoon with severe internal bleeding after giving birth in a bathroom at Studholme College in the morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Wakelin said police interviewed her yesterday afternoon after her mother arrived from overseas. Her physical condition was improving and she was being supported by friends and her mother.

An autopsy completed on Sunday afternoon revealed the state of the baby when she was born but findings would not be disclosed, he said.

"We're going to sit down with the Crown solicitor and discuss whether charges are appropriate and what they would be."

Miss Ni Bhroin said the baby's death had prompted the association to raise awareness of health services at the University of Otago.

"We're thinking of advertising and targeting students with information about health services. We're doing quite a bit already but there's room for improvement."

The myth that all international students were wealthy needed to be corrected, she said.

"Contraception and sexual health is not covered by insurance. Neither is pregnancy care ...

"All international girl students have to have pregnancy tests before they come to New Zealand to make sure they're not pregnant."

Dunedin Sexual Health Clinic clinical leader Dr Jill McIlraith said some overseas students thought having an abortion was "easy, that you can walk in and out".

"But, in New Zealand, it's not like that. There's a legal process.

"I think it's sad this girl, whatever the circumstances were, felt unable to access Student Health."

Student Health head Dr Kim Maiai said international students sometimes found it harder to access help because of cultural and language barriers. They were charged more for health services.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES