New born baby abandoned at Paga District Hospital
A 29-year-old mother, Christian Akala, on Monday abandoned her two-day old baby girl at the Paga District Hospital in the Kassena-Nankana West District in the Upper East Region.
The baby, as at the time the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited the facility, was wrapped in cot sheets and laid in clot at the maternity unit under the care of the facility’s management.
Madam Afishata Seidu Bogobiri, the Matron of the Hospital who confirmed the incident to the GNA in an interview, disclosed that the mother of the abandoned baby came in second stage of labour without weighing card, but was successfully delivered of a healthy baby girl at about 1500hours on April 7.
She said at about 0600hours on April 8, Madam Akala requested to wash her cloths, but staff of the facility realized that after about an hour, she was nowhere to be found.
Madam Bogobiri said a written note by the mother was later found on the baby, indicating that she loves her baby, but there was no one to take care of her.
The Matron said management of the Hospital immediately reported the case to the District Police Command, the Social Welfare Office in the District and the District Chief Executive (DCE) for appropriate action.
Madam Bogobiri said, when the contact number and name of the nearest relative indicated on the folder as Madam Akala’s husband was contacted, the supposed husband (name withheld) confirmed that even though he bears the name, he denied knowledge of the woman (Christian Akala).
According to the Matron, Police were able to retrieve some details from the National Health Insurance office and were investigating the matter.
Madam Bogobiri used the opportunity to advice members of the public, especially women to open up on their situations so they could be offered help.
Mr Gerard Ataogye, the District Chief Executive officer of the area, told the GNA in an interview that the Assembly would try its best to support with the upkeep of the baby until the family was known.
“She is a human being, we need to do all we can to support, that child can become a President one day. It is not only your biological mother that you regard as your mother. We thank God the delivery was conducted in a health facility to save life.”
The DCE expressed gratitude to nurses and midwives at the Hospital for their support and care for the baby.
Source: GNA