A heartbreaking incident has rocked the Hangaline community, a suburb of Damongo, where a newly born baby boy was discovered abandoned at a refuse dump in the early hours of Tuesday.
According to an eyewitness who was first at the scene, the baby was found wrapped in a cloth and left helpless among household waste. “I went to dump refuse this morning when I heard the cry of a baby coming from the dump. I rushed to inform the Environmental Health Officers who were also in their line of duty at the area of the cry of a baby in the refused dump” the witness recounted.
Madam Saaka Laadi, a Principal Environmental Health Assistant with her team, conveyed the baby to the St Anne’s Hospital in Damongo and she spoke to our reporter and described how they were informed of this sad situation. She described the situation as both disturbing and unfortunate. “We condemn this act in the strongest terms. There are safer and more humane ways to handle unwanted pregnancies. This action is criminal and poses a grave health risk to the child and the public,” she said.
The baby was rescued and rushed to St. Anne’s Hospital in Damongo. A midwife at the facility, Sister Diana Bayor who receive the baby, confirmed that the newborn was immediately processed and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for observation and care. “Thankfully, the baby is stable and receiving the needed support,” sister Diana Bayor added.
Authorities have launched investigations into the incident, and the public is urged to provide any relevant information to help locate the person(s) responsible.
Meanwhile, the health and social welfare departments are expected to take over the case to ensure the baby’s safety and future well-being.
