Surviving sextuplets set to leave hospital

Five surviving sextuplets born to a Libyan couple who were in England for a study course are set to leave hospital in the next few days.

The six babies hit the headlines in August when they were delivered at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Expert medical care saved the lives of five of the six children born to Jamal Abuhelfaia and his wife Fowzia Adala following fertility treatment in their home country.

Two consultants, six paediatricians and six specialist nurses helped deliver the babies by Caesarean section at the hospital on August 9.

The tiniest one, a little girl, survived just four days.

The remaining two boys and three girls, then weighing between 12oz and 2lb, have been cared for by hospital staff and are now on the verge of returning to their parents’ home in the North East.

Len Fenwick, chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals Trust, said: ‘‘We have had to make sure that all five were kept together but they are ready to go now. We are getting them into a state of readiness to go home.

‘‘It may be within a few days.’’

Hospital staff were praised for the skill and expertise used to keep the babies alive and nurture them back to health.

Mr Fenwick said: ‘‘The staff are delighted. There is a lot of knocking in the media of the health service but the health service was able to respond with very little warning and provided quality care and treatment for the babies.

‘‘It does demonstrate the underlying strengths of the NHS. ‘‘It was unfortunate that one of the babies was lost, it was so tiny and there was very little chance of survival. The rest are progressing well.’’

Mr Abuhelfaia, an oil engineer, was due to take up a course at the University of Northumbria in September when the children were born.

He was unavailable for comment on the imminent homecoming as it is understood that he has sold the exclusive rights to the story to a national Sunday newspaper.

At the time of the sextuplets’ birth, a fierce debate was sparked about who would pay the bill estimated at £500,000 for their care.

It has now been revealed that the Libyan Oil Sector, which employs Mr Abuhelfaia, has made a donation to Newcastle RVI.

Mr Fenwick said: ‘‘The Libyan Oil Sector have been extremely supportive and have made a significant funding donation to the Royal Victoria Infirmary to cover the cost of care and treatment.’’