Baby hatch records zero case

In safe hands: Abdul Aziz (right) and a nurse showing how a baby is placed at the baby hatch at KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital in Bukit Mertajam.

IT has been two years since a baby hatch facility was installed at KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam, but no one has abandoned their babies there yet.

Hospital chief executive officer Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said the service would allow mothers to leave their unwanted babies anonymously in a safe place to be found and cared for.

“But up to now, we have not received any babies although we read a lot about baby dumping cases in the news.

“It could be due to lack of publicity of the existence of such a service, or probably the donor is afraid that their identity can be exposed, subjecting them to legal actions,”he said.

Abdul Aziz assured that no legal action would be taken against those who leave their babies at the baby hatch.

“Once the baby is placed on the cot, an alarm is triggered to inform the hospital staff.

“The hospital will inform the Orphan Care Centre and lodge a police report.

“The baby will then be referred to the district Welfare Department and relevant organisations to be put up for adoption,” Abdul Aziz told a press conference at the hospital recently.

“Those who give up their babies will remain anonymous. What’s important is that the baby is safe.”