Baby found in Castries doing well at OKEU

A baby found this morning in Morne Du Don is doing well at hospital. The discovery of the baby in a shopping bag was made by residents of the area, who called emergency personnel to the scene. In a call to Timothy Poleon’s Newsspin program this afternoon, Medical Director of the Owen King European Union Hospital, Dr. Alisha Eugene-Ford, put concerned Saint Lucians at ease. “Baby is doing fine, he’s doing very well…When we did our physical examination, baby is doing very well and we don’t have any issues with him thus far,” she said. Medical professionals are awaiting various test results to make sure all is okay.

Eugene-Ford said that they have received many calls — both locally and from overseas —from persons who want to adopt the baby. They are being directed to the department of Human Services, who she says is onboard with health officials to make sure that the child does well.

The Medical Director expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love, stating that many persons either want to adopt, or send gifts, clothing items and toys. Something she attributes to the videos on social media of the baby’s discovery. “It’s the first time I’ve actually experienced so many persons calling with love;wanting to give to that child… I am just happy and I think management of Victoria Hospital/OKEUH, we’re very happy. Because this child, although the child was dumped, there’s a lot of potential for the child to be loved by many persons,” she said.

Eugene-Ford also advised persons not to be quick to condemn the mother. Many factors could have been in play, including the person’s mental state and if they are going through a period of depression. The Medical Director expressed concern for the new mother, pointing out the need for critical postpartum care. To ensure a mother is doing okay, medical officials need to, among other things, determine the level of bleeding, blood pressure, and examine the vagina and cervix.

“While baby is being taken care of by the pediatricians, we have to make sure on our end that mommy is taken care of from the maternity/gynecology part of it. So I’m concerned about the mother as well, because she too has to be examined and has to be brought in,” she noted.