AWEIL — Health authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal have launched a search for a woman suspected of abandoning a newborn baby girl at Malualkon Hospital in Aweil East County.
According to hospital authorities, the woman allegedly abandoned the newborn baby girl at the hospital shortly after giving birth on Sunday morning.
Philip Chuor, Deputy Hospital Director in Malualkon, told this publication on Tuesday that the newborn baby was found in the early hours of Sunday after the mother allegedly abandoned her and fled.
“As the administrator of Malualkon Hospital, where the incident was reported, I was informed that a newborn baby girl had been found abandoned under a rakuba (grass-thatched shelter) on Sunday morning,” Chuor said.
Chuor said the mother fled the scene after allegedly abandoning the newborn and remains at large.
“It remains unclear what circumstances the mother was facing that led her to abandon the baby.”
He said the newborn was taken into care at Malualkon Hospital following the discovery, and officials are monitoring the baby’s condition.
Chuor urged the public not to resort to such practices, even amid increasing economic and social hardships.
He cautioned young mothers and girls against abandoning newborns, warning that such actions could have serious consequences for their dignity in the community.
“I urge our mothers to avoid such practices. Repeatedly abandoning children can have serious consequences, including social stigma and lasting harm to both the mother and child.”
He said the baby was found under a grass-thatched shelter on Sunday morning after the mother allegedly fled the area.
It remains unclear whether the woman, who is reportedly on the run, will be brought to justice, as authorities have launched a search for her in Malualkon Town and across Aweil East County.
