BY PROBLYN J ALPHA
In a troubling development, Haja Thomas, a nursing mother from Wiama village in Fiama chiefdom, Kono District, has raised serious concerns regarding the disappearance of her newborn baby at Koidu Government Hospital. Thomas, who gave birth approximately two weeks ago, alleges that the hospital failed to produce her baby and provided conflicting information about the circumstances surrounding the birth.
According to Thomas, she was admitted to Koidu Government Hospital due to profuse bleeding during her seventh month of pregnancy, following the advice of Nurse Mbalu from the Njiagbema health facility, who had been overseeing her antenatal care since January 17th, 2024. Thomas claimed that she underwent an operation at the hospital without her consent, during which she heard her baby crying but was unable to see the child due to her condition at the time.
Upon regaining consciousness in a different ward, Thomas requested to see her newborn as she was ready to breastfeed, only to be informed by hospital staff that she had delivered a stillbirth. However, Thomas alleges that the hospital staff refused to provide any evidence of the stillbirth, leading to a confrontation between her family members and hospital personnel.
Efforts to seek clarification from the hospital management proved futile, as they declined to comment on the matter. However, a senior staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that Thomas had experienced a molar pregnancy, a condition characterized by abnormal tissue growth in the uterus.
The controversy surrounding the missing newborn has raised serious questions about the transparency and accountability of medical practices at Koidu Government Hospital. Despite the hospital’s refusal to engage with journalists on the matter, Thomas remains steadfast in her demand for the unconditional production of her baby.
As Thomas continues her recovery from the operation, she is determined to pursue answers and justice for her missing newborn. The government of Sierra Leone, particularly the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, is urged to intervene and ensure a thorough investigation into this troubling incident, providing closure for the grieving mother and accountability for the hospital’s actions.