What could be more comforting for Nazma Khatun than being finally reunited with her baby girl Suraiya who was separated from her at birth?
Although the mother was allowed to breastfeed Suraiya over the past two weeks, doctors kept the baby away at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Dhaka Medical College Hospital to protect her from infection.
After Dr Kaniz Hasina of the Department of Pediatrics Surgery yesterday handed the three-week-old Suraiya over to the mother, an emotional Nazma held her tightly and showered her with kisses.
“Alhamdulillah! I am very happy today with the baby in my arms. I hadn’t expected that she would survive. I thank the Almighty Allah,” she told reporters at the DMCH.
When eight-month pregnant Nazma was shot in the lower abdomen during a clash between two factions of Magura Jubo League on July 23, her unborn baby too sustained critical injuries in the shoulder and in one of her eyes.
Although both of them survived after a two-hour caesarean operation, doctors in Magura hadn’t expected that the bullet-injured newborn would be able to cling to life.
Suraiya was immediately rushed to the DMCH where doctors saved her having put in a commendable collective effort. Nazma initially stayed in Magura to recover from the operation but was brought to the DMCH about a week later to breastfeed Suraiya as per doctors’ advice.
Till yesterday Nazma could visit Suraiya only to breastfeed her but from now on the two can stay together, said doctors at the DMCH.
Dr Kaniz said they were so relieved that they could finally give the baby to her mother after putting her under rigorous care for the last 22 days.
Although the mother and the baby are now out of danger, there are risks of infection for the baby for her low birth weight, she said.
“We will observe both of them for three or four more days before deciding on their discharge,” Dr Kaniz told The Daily Star.
A three-member team from National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital will examine the eye injury of the baby on Monday, she added.
Source: The Daily Star
