Abandoned baby Blessing now making positive strides
SEVEN-day-old baby Blessing has been moved to the Frere Hospital general maternity ward from the neonatal ward where he spent five days.
He was found dumped in a black plastic bag in dense bushes near the sea at East London’s Gonubie last week.
Buffalo City Metro municipal services portfolio head councillor Helen Neale-May’s team rescued the baby, whose umbilical cord was still attached.
The discovery by a gardener who had been looking for his boss’ cat moved East London residents and South Africans in general.
There was an influx of donations for the healthy baby, named Blessing by hospital staff, with some offering to adopt him. Baby Blessing weighs 2.9kg. Paediatrician Harsha Lochan, who is supervising the baby’s wellbeing, said they were happy with Blessing’s progress.
“He is doing well and he is doing everything a baby of his age should be doing,” she said.
Neale-May said she and her team were hoping Blessing’s life would have a positive outcome.
“He is such a special little boy to me and my coastal protection unit team who found him and we have a real affiliation with him now.
“My friend and I visited him on Saturday and donated some items of clothing as well just to cuddle him. It is such a beautiful thing that there has been an outpouring of love and support for this beautiful baby,” Neale-May said.
Since his entrance into the world, no family members have come forward to claim Blessing.
His case has been referred to Child Welfare.
Frere Hospital chief executive Rolene Wagner made available a bank account to anyone who wished to make a monetary donation for baby Blessing.
● Donations can be made to: Frere Hospital Board Bank Account, Standard Bank, Branch: 0000-21, account number: 00-00-0811-80-691. The reference to be quoted for any deposits is ‘Blessing’. —