Baby Disha
Baby Disha was found abandoned near a toilet of Jag Pravesh Chandra hospital, Delhi, in end-May 2020. She was a 3-4 days old infant, and was found in an open plastic bag left near the garbage can. As soon as the baby was found by the staff, she was taken to the hospital nursery for a check-up. The baby was in the hospital for about 3 weeks and during that time, was tested for Covid and found to be negative. The police as well as the government’s Child Welfare Committee had been informed about the baby, Since the police could not trace her family, on 18th June, baby Disha was brought to PALNA by the police in accordance with a short-term placement order issued by the Child Welfare Committee.
Since the baby had come from the hospital, she had to be put in isolation for two weeks with a dedicated caregiver, as a precautionary measure for the safety of all the PALNA children. Routine blood and other investigations done at PALNA were all within normal limits. She was a low-birth baby, weighing in at 5 pounds when she arrived at PALNA. So she was put on oral milk feed and nutritional supplements. Age-scheduled immunisations have also been started.
In July, baby Disha had to be treated for mild grade gastroenteritis which has been managed conservatively by the medical staff at PALNA, with oral antibiotics and lactose-free formula feed.
Baby Disha is doing well and has gained weight steadily in the six weeks she has been at PALNA, and her weight is now close to 9 pounds. She has joined the other infants in the nursery, and is in a safe and caring environment.