This is exactly what the administration of the National Medical Centre (NMC) discovered, much to their amazement, when Master Mohammad Ali, a premature baby who was brought to the hospital at 1:39 am on June 24 and was left there by a couple, who went missing on July 8.
The baby was born on June 24 at the Jamiat Hospital in Delhi Colony, allegedly to AY and his wife, who brought the child to the NMC because he was in critical condition. However, the couple is now refusing to acknowledge any connection with the child.
“The baby was brought in because his lungs were not fully developed and he needed immediate medical attention, which is why he was put on a ventilator,” said NMC administrator Dr Omer Jung, who added that the child is now completely healthy. Jung said that despite numerous efforts, the baby’s parents cannot be convinced to come and take back the child.
He said that the hospital had also filed written complaints with the Defence police station and the CPLC, but the authorities have said that they cannot do much about the situation.
“We cannot take any action until the boy is discharged. Then too, we will either advertise to find the missing couple, or send the baby to an Edhi orphanage,” said Defence IO Abdul Ghaffar Jumani.
For his part, AY has denied any connection with the baby, saying, “I think that Dr Jung [has] personal issues. I was just helping the baby out and the [hospital] is creating problems because they want the medical bills to be cleared. I have already paid a lot of money from my pocket.”
According to Dr Jung, the baby’s gynaecologist and paediatrician have said that the couple was not claiming the baby because they had recently fought. The doctors reportedly said that the couple had allegedly eloped to get married and AY’s family was now forcing him to marry a girl from another community.
Scores of children are abandoned at Edhi cradles outside their centres each year. They are put up for adoption.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2010.
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