Coimbatore: A newborn boy that was found abandoned inside a shopping bag near Valankulam tank was rescued by private ambulance staff and admitted to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital.

According to Dr Soundarvel, assistant RMO of CMCH, the staff of a private ambulance heard the cries of a baby and found something moving inside a shopping bag that was dumped near the Classic Towers off Tirchy road, near Valankullam tank at 12.15 on Wednesday night. He immediately took the newborn to CMCH and got the baby, weighing 2.5 kg, admitted at the Paediatric ICU.

An examination revealed that the baby has no external injuries and is feeding adequately. Clinical examination has, however, indicated that the child has congenital heart anomaly.

“There could be a hole between the two ventricles. An echocardiogram will be done to ascertain if the hole is large or small. Usually, if there are very small holes, then they may close spontaneously over a period of time. The child has been kept under observation and once the child settles, then an echo will be done.”

This is the sixth child that has been abandoned in the city this year of which three have been male and three female. Three children have already been handed over to Sharanalayam, a home in Pollachi. As of now, two boys and a girl baby are undergoing treatment at CMCH.

The girl baby has completed treatment and is ready to be handed over to Sharanalayam. The hospital has formally written to the Social Welfare Office and once an order is passed, the baby will be handed over to Sharanalayam, the ARMO added.