Doctors at the paediatric department of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) said the condition of the child might deteriorate if her blood got infected.
A blood report yesterday revealed a low count of the White Blood Cell (WBC), which is responsible for fighting off blood infection.
“Given how fragile the child is, a low count of WBC can result in blood infection if she is not properly taken care of,” said Dr Kaniz Hasina of the paediatric department.
Doctors have already changed the treatment course to battle the new concern. “We have administered a different antibiotic course and it will continue until she improves,” she added.
While the four-day-old child which was bullet-hit in mother’s womb continues to suffer, her family grapples with securing money for her treatment.
Magura district Superintendent of Police AKM Ehsan Ullah has been carrying out the treatment cost of the child at the paediatric department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
“But once we leave the hospital, everyone will forget the incident and we will be left to deal with our child. But who’s responsibility is it that she is suffering?” said the infant’s father Bachchu Bhuiyan who seemed to be at his wit’s end.
In the meantime, the child went through a three-hour long operation at 11am yesterday.
“A bullet was hit just beside her lungs and we needed to ensure that the bullet did not cause any damage,” said Dr Nazia.
But as there was no sign of damage, the doctors decided to carry out the operation to mend the injuries she sustained due to the bullet.
Commenting on the child’s condition, Dr Nazia said her improvement could have been faster if the child could be breast-fed. “Since the child is not getting breast milk, her recovery has been slow. But the mother is not being able to travel because of her condition.”
The child’s father Bachchu Bhuiyan, quoting doctor Dr Shafiur Rahman of Magura General Hospital, said doctors forbade the mother to travel given she just had a surgery.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Labhlu, the child’s maternal uncle, said: “It is very unfortunate that none of the Awami League leaders came to visit the baby since her admission three days ago. They should visit as it was the result of their internal clash.”
“The initial expenses were carried out by others but we don’t know how to continue the long-term treatment,” he added.
On the other hand, police could not yet arrest any accused in the case filed by the infant’s uncle Rubel Bhuiyan on July 25.
The newborn received bullet injuries when her eight-month pregnant mother, Nazma Khatun, was shot in the abdomen during an attack by a Magura Jubo League faction on the extended family of another rival faction Thursday afternoon.
Both the baby and the mother survived the two-hour caesarean operation at Magura General Hospital.
Later on early Sunday, the newborn was rushed to DMCH for better treatment. A nine-member medical board was also formed for the baby.