Funds flow in for baby couple left behind
Print Edition
AUSTRALIA’S Immigration Minister says a question of “moral responsibility” should determine the fate of a baby born with Down syndrome, reportedly abandoned by an Australian couple with its surrogate mother in Thailand.
Scott Morrison’s comments came as funds raised online by an Australian charity to pay for the infant’s medical care rose above A$190,000 (US$177,000) after a flood of international goodwill over the infant’s plight.
The boy, Gammy, and a twin sister were born to Thai woman Pattaramon Chanbua in December after she was reportedly paid A$16,000 to be a surrogate.
An unnamed Australian couple took the sister, who was healthy, but left Gammy behind, according to media reports.
The baby boy also suffers from a life-threatening heart condition, and 21-year-old Pattaramon had said she couldn’t afford the treatment he needs.
“I think this is an absolutely heart-breaking story, it really is,” Morrison told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
“I think perhaps this may fall more into the territory of what people’s moral responsibilities are here.
“I note there was a comment earlier that the mother of this child, baby Gammy, wants the child to remain in Thailand and that mother’s wishes also have to be absolutely respected.”
Pattaramon’s mother, 53-year-old Pichaya Nathonchai, said Gammy had been in a private hospital in Chonburi province, about an hour from Bangkok, since Thursday and his condition was “improving.”
“He is a quiet, calm boy ... his mother and I are taking turns to see him at the hospital,” Pichaya said, adding that her family was relieved donations were coming in.
“Although we have benefited from the 30 baht (US$1) health scheme, it does not cover everything he needs,” she said, referring to Thailand’s universal health care scheme.
Peter Baines, the founder of Hands Across The Water, the charity managing the donations, said Gammy was “still very ill” and had a lung infection.
He said donations had far exceeded the initial A$25,000 target, and he would be flying to Thailand from Australia in the next few weeks to coordinate how the money is used to fund Gammy’s health care and his family’s needs.
“I’ll meet with the family and then we can meet with our representatives on the ground and get a good understanding of what are those needs over the next six months, and then three years, and then beyond,” Baines said.
Pattaramon told Fairfax Media she wanted to take care of the boy in Thailand, saying: “I’ll take care of Gammy on my own. I’ll not give my baby to anybody.”
Of the Australian couple, she said: “I wish they will love my baby ... I forgive them for everything. That is the best thing I can do, forgive ... it is best for everybody.” She added: “I can’t blame them ... I don’t feel upset or angry about them anymore. They might have their own problems too.”
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
