Baby Jha, who was born at Ram Mandir railway station in the early hours of Wednesday, continues to fight for his life at Cooper Hospital. Born under extraordinary circumstances, the infant has been diagnosed with a hole in the heart and facial abnormalities, and remains under intensive medical care.
According to hospital authorities, both the mother and child were immediately admitted to Cooper Hospital after the delivery. While the mother has shown signs of recovery, the baby remains in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where doctors are monitoring his condition around the clock.
On Friday afternoon, doctors collected blood samples to assess the full extent of the infant’s health issues. However, the family has been informed that the results may take up to 15 days, adding to their anxiety. “During this period, the child will remain in NICU care and is being closely monitored,” said Anjali Mishra, a relative.
Despite his fragile condition, the baby has shown small but hopeful signs. Doctors confirmed he is breathing on his own, without the need for external respiratory support — a positive sign given his cardiac and facial complications. “We are proceeding with caution, but this gives us some hope as we plan the next course of treatment,” said a NICU doctor.
The baby is expected to undergo heart surgery in the coming weeks. A critical sonography scan has been scheduled for Saturday morning to guide further medical decisions. “No one is allowed to see the baby or enter the NICU because of the high infection risk. Even his mother is not allowed inside; she is asked to express breast milk, which is then fed to him in a sterile container,” said Prince Mishra, Anjali’s son.
Doctors say the mother, Ambika, is recovering well and able to produce milk, a reassuring sign for both the baby’s health and emotional connection. “We’re grateful that our baby was safely delivered in such an unusual situation. But watching him inside the NICU and being unable to hold him is worrying. We just want to take my wife and son home soon,” said Mukesh Jha, the baby’s father.
