CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A newborn baby who miraculously survived after his mother died following a self-delivery inside a boarding house is now at the center of an urgent humanitarian appeal, as authorities and concerned citizens race to secure life-saving support for the infant.
The baby, now referred to as “Baby Q,” remains confined at JR Borja General Hospital, where he is under close medical supervision and reported to be in stable condition. However, doctors and caregivers emphasize that his survival now depends heavily on continuous access to safe, pasteurized breastmilk and essential newborn supplies.
The appeal comes just days after the tragic incident on April 27 in Zone 6, Lower Bulua, where the infant’s mother—identified only as “Jezza,” a resident of Opol, Misamis Oriental—was found lifeless shortly after giving birth alone inside a boarding house.
Police from the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office said the woman appeared to have carried out a self-delivery without medical assistance. Bloodstains and a knife recovered at the scene suggested she may have attempted to manage the childbirth on her own. The newborn was discovered alive, his umbilical cord already severed, while the mother was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.
As investigations continue into the exact cause of death, attention has shifted to the fragile condition and urgent needs of the surviving infant.
A viral appeal posted by concerned citizen Sanlyn Nacaytuna has mobilized online communities, calling for immediate donations of breastmilk to sustain the baby’s nutrition.
“Looking for breastmilk… if you have extra, we can continue giving him pasteurized breastmilk,” the post read, underscoring the critical shortage faced by the hospital and caregivers.
Donors are encouraged to coordinate through the Cagayan de Oro City Human Milk Bank – Lactation Support Center, where breastmilk can be safely processed and provided to the infant.
Beyond breastmilk, Baby Q urgently needs newborn diapers, baby wipes, alcohol, and clothing—basic necessities that are now vital for his day-to-day survival.
The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office has also opened its network to facilitate donations, urging the public to extend support through coordinated efforts with their Police Community Relations (PCR) units.
Authorities and volunteers stress that time is critical.
“This baby already survived impossible odds,” one responder said. “Now, it’s up to the community to help him continue living.”
The heartbreaking case has once again highlighted the dangers of unattended childbirth and the urgent need for accessible maternal care, especially among vulnerable women living alone or in precarious conditions.
For now, Baby Q’s story stands as both a tragedy and a call to action—one that demands immediate compassion, collective effort, and sustained support to give him a fighting chance at life.