Kericho County referral hospital medical superintendent, Dr. Joan Ong’are has appealed to mothers to desist from dumping their babies in cruel conditio
Dr. Ong’are said such inhumane actions jeopardize lives of innocent children, but proposed they should have compassion by seeking assistance from community support services
This follows two incidents where in the last three weeks; two babies were rescued after being found dumped in adverse weather conditions, within different locations in Kericho County.
He, however confirmed that the two infants are currently safe and in a stable condition at the Kericho County Referral hospital.
One of the infants, a baby girl was found abandoned under tea bushes in a tea plantation at Cheboin estate, a week ago by a Good Samaritan, and is presently admitted at the pediatrician ward, where she is being observed and fed using formula milk.
The second infant, born with low birth weight was admitted to the newborn unit (NBU) where she is receiving treatment. She was found dumped at a footpath in Seretut area, within Kericho County by a villager, two weeks ago.
In an interview with KNA on Saturday, Dr. Ong’are said both newborns are all out of danger after undergoing the necessary medical tests to confirm their health status.
“They are both stable and are out of danger. Abandoned babies when they are brought to hospital, undergo several medical tests to check their health status, and if they are unwell, we treat them until they are clinically stable and well. We then hand them to the social worker who takes the several steps to make sure the child is placed in a children’s home,” said Dr Ong’are.
“We have had to treat a baby who was found dumped in a toilet and survived despite being found with maggots all over her, with some crawling out of her body openings. Another had been bitten by dogs after she was found dumped by the roadside,” said Dr. Ong’are.
A medical social worker at the facility, Mr. Feizzal Ng’etich disclosed that in the last seven months the hospital has received six abandoned babies, with four admitted to baby homes in Nakuru and Kericho Counties.
“The babies upon being rescued, the matter is reported to police before they are brought to Kericho County referral hospital for medical tests, to confirm their health conditions and if found to be ill they are treated. Our work is to ensure that we place them in homes where several steps are undertaken before they are adopted,” said Ng’etich.
By Sarah Njagi
