A three-month-old baby who doctors said should be allowed to die received a Christmas reprieve.
Mr. Justice MacDonald gave baby Midrar Ali a lifeline after his parents pleaded with him: “Please, there is no rush.”
Midrar’s brain is severely damaged after birth complications, and doctors said he wouldn’t recover.
The Family Court was asked by St. Mary’s Hospital to sanction turning off the baby’s life support.
But his father, 35-year-old Karwan Ali, said to the judge: “It is very important that the court knows that Midrar is not in any pain or suffering or deteriorating.
“In fact he has grown. He has got some sensations. Now he is opening his eyes a little bit. I don’t understand the rush of the hospital to do the procedure.”
Mr. MacDonald told the couple: “These are grave and weighty matters. All these things you have just told me will be considered.”
The then adjourned the case to give the family enough time to find a solicitor and ask for further tests.
Mr. MacDonald also made the infant a party to the proceedings. This mean Midrar will have his own guardian and lawyers appointed by the court. He also said a hearing next month would determine which experts Mrs. And Mr. Ali can appoint for the final hearing.
“From the trust’s point of view, in terms of issues of urgency, the trust’s primary concern is that Midrar’s dignity is maintained,” said Neil Davy, representing Manchester University NHS Trust.
Mr. Ali said outside the hearing: “We have evidence that when we see him, he responds. No doctor or biologist can keep a dead person alive for three months. No technology can do that. I am a biologist. I know that. There is some connection between the brain and the body – it doesn’t work alone.”
The parents also have videos of their baby moving his finger, partially opening an eye, and turning his neck but doctors said it was only a reflex action.
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Replaced!