Baby Ammon still critical, but stable

The three-week-old baby weighed one pound 12 ounces when he was born three months premature on November 25. Due to his premature condition he has medical complications and is still on a ventilator.

Speaking to the media at the PoSGH after the handing over of 63 new beds to the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA), Rahael said, "the doctors indicated it is difficult to tell the outcome. They are doing the best they can and we have to pray and hope for the best."

Baby Ammon now weights two-and-a-half pounds.

Asked to comment on the issue of an alternative to a blood transfusion for the baby since his parents are Jehovah Witnesses, Rahael said, "that is a call the doctors will have to make, not us as individuals. The neonatal unit has the most experienced neonatologist, Dr Petronella Manning-Alleyne."

He said her reputation was known in the Caribbean region, and "critical" babies from other health facilities, even private ones, were sent to PoSGH.

"If doctor Manning-Alleyne believes that was the best treatment, the baby has a chance of survival, then I have to respect that. These calls are always made by the professionals."

Baby Ammon was made a ward of the court last Thursday because his parents were against a blood transfusion on religious grounds. A blood transfusion was given last Friday.

The Jehovah Witness Association subsequently issued a media release saying that an alternative — EOP was proposed but not accepted. The baby’s twin died hours after birth.

Baby Ammon was born with a low blood count and his lungs began to bleed on December 3. On December 8, Manning-Alleyne approached the court to intervene. A court order placed the baby in the custody of doctors at the Neonatal Unit until he has fully recovered.