Too many baby hatches could encourage more babies being abandoned, says Dr Wan Norashikin

IPOH: It is not right to have too many baby hatches, as this could encourage more babies to be abandoned, says Datuk Dr Wan Norashikin Wan Noordin.

The state Women Development, Family and Social Welfare Committee chairman said currently there is only one baby hatch located at the KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital in the state that was set up in 2010.

She said the state government would probably work with non-governmental organisations and private hospitals to consider the need of setting up another baby hatch at a suitable location.

Baby hatches are facilities for desperate mothers to have an option to leave their babies behind in a safe place, rather than in locations where no one else can take swift action to save the babies’ lives.

“It is not advisable to have too many baby hatches as we will be encouraging such a habit, which we don’t want to.

“However, we may discuss with the related government agencies, NGOs and private hospitals to see if another baby hatch is required in the state, ” she told reporters after visiting Tadika Kinderjoy here to check on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She said this when asked if there should be more baby hatches set-up in the state, with the latest case of a 16-year-old mother throwing her newborn baby boy from a top-floor window of a double-storey house onto the roof of a neighbour’s house in Bercham here on July 18.

The baby is being treated at the neonatal intensive care unit of the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital here.

Dr Wan Norashikin said the baby is recuperating at the hospital, and that the young mother is still being treated at the hospital as well.

“The state Welfare Department will provide counselling sessions to the young mother, as we don’t only need to observe her health, but also her mental state of mind.

“She is still weak, underaged, and mentally not strong, so when the time is right we will provide counselling for her, ” she added.

She said right now the case is still under police investigation, and once the baby is ready to be discharged from the hospital, he would be placed under the care of the department.

“The department has proper homes to look after such babies, ” she added.