DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- The parents of a baby boy who was born prematurely and has a disability have refused to take him home from a Dubai hospital since October, police said.
The baby was born at Dubai Hospital and transferred to Latifa Hospital after breathing difficulties, and a medical report said post-surgery complications caused a severe nervous system problem and epilepsy, Gulf News reported.
Hospital officials say the parents said they have a 5-year-old son with birth defects and epilepsy and could not care for the baby as well.
Col. Mohammad Al Murr, director of the Dubai Police Human Rights Department, said a team from the department went to the hospital after receiving a letter last week seeking help persuading the parents to take their baby home. Murr said he urged the father to do so because leaving him in the hospital is inhuman and against religion and tradition, Gulf News said.
The father has not visited the baby since October and the mother has not visited since December.
The father has filed a complaint with the Dubai Health Department saying the baby was healthy before surgery and the parents can't afford to care for him because they have two nannies caring for his older brother.
Murr said he urged the father to take legal action if he believes malpractice caused the baby's condition but not to leave his son in the hospital.
The Human Rights Department also offered to help provide care for the baby if he needs a nanny. Murr said the department will continue trying to persuade the parents to take their baby home and to ensure he gets needed care.
