Here's how Silchar's Sahina Rashmi Mazarbhuiya saved "illegitimate" newborn, breastfed baby to ensure safety

In Silchar Tarapur’s Axomiya Basti area, a pregnant mother delivered a baby at the wee hours of April 5. The family did not escort the mother to the hospital as the mother was unmarried and conceived without the consent of the family.

The family is poor and owing to societal pressure, they decided to conceal the news of the pregnancy. The baby was delivered at home and unfortunately for the newborn, the umbilical cord remained attached with the mother. During the delivery of a newborn human child, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut to separate the baby from the placenta, which has been supplying the baby with oxygen and nutrients during pregnancy.

The baby and mother remained in that condition for more than 20 hours and that is when the family members started running around in secrecy to seek professional help. A lady knocked on the doors of Sahina Rashmi Mazarbhuiya, Community Health Officer, Borkhola BPHC and a fellow resident of the Tarapur’s Mazumdar Bazar area.

Sahina heard the situation and urged the lady to rush the mother and the child to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital. “They told me they are very poor and so, they cannot go to the hospital. I told them that I will pay for the bills and arrange an ambulance too. Then the lady whispered – the mother isn’t married and the child is what they say, illegitimate,” she shared.

Sahina added, “When I got to know that the mother is unmarried, I realised that the family will throw the child away. On humanitarian grounds and thinking about the wellbeing of the child, I rushed to the spot and following all the procedures got them safely separated. The newborn was lying on the floor for more than 20 hours and the mother was on the bed.”

After the child was separated, Sahina knew that the future of the newborn isn’t secured. She found an acquaintance in the area and informed him about the situation. She also warned the family members that if something happens to the newborn, she will lodge a Police complaint. Doctor then informed her senior colleagues about the event who appreciated her efforts and suggested her to inform Childline about the newborn.

The Childline warriors went to the residence of the newborn and rescued the infant. After routine vaccination the child was shifted to the Nivedita Home for further care. “It feels great to see the child doing fine. I am a lactating mother and I  breastfed the newborn out of humanity. I have also bought medicine for the mother of the newborn. Wish them both all the best for the rest of their life,” the health care officer concluded.