Dubai: A seven-month-old baby who has been fighting for her life since birth is still under observation as doctors at Dubai’s Latifa Hospital continue to monitor her slow weight gain.
Her mother, Sheerain Khan, told Gulf News that Safa has not gained enough weight to undergo her tenth and last surgery to remove the colostomy.
“She currently weighs 2.7kg and is being kept alone in a special ward where she is monitored very closely. She needs to gain weight consistently so they can remove the colostomy for good.”
Gulf News reported Safa’s story on June 4.
Born three months premature to Indian parents Sheerain and Nasir Khan, Safa weighed only 580g when she was delivered through a C-section surgery on November 2, 2013. Safa has undergone nine surgeries since..
Officials with Dubai’s Latifa Hospital declined to comment by press time citing protocol issues.
Following her last surgery in early June, Safa has gone through several health scares, said her mother.
Recently suffering from a blood infection and a fever, Safa was moved into a private room where she is undergoing a 14-day antibiotic course.
Sheerain explained that due to her daughter’s very slow weight gain, doctors have changed her formula several times to increase her weight so that she is fit for surgery next month.
“They are also looking at oral seeds and ways to increase her nutrition, because she is not gaining weight,” said Sheerain.
She added that after the antibiotic course, Safa could be discharged and readmitted once she gains enough weight for the surgery.
“She might be discharged after 20 days but it all depends on her condition,” she said.
The couple are looking at more than Dh531,000 in hospital bills, and have requested a discount.
