Fatimah: Sarawak does not need baby hatch

KUCHING – There are no plans to set up baby hatch in Sarawak to prevent the abandonment of unwanted babies, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Datin Fatimah Abdullah said Saturday.

Fatimah, who is also state women and family council (MWKS) chairman, said Sarawak had created an integrated social support system to effectively tackle the problem of abandoned babies.

She said the system also provided assistance and protection to unwed mothers in a supportive and safe environment at a shelter home in Telaga Air near here.

“It (shelter home) is run by the state welfare department and provides a safe environment where unwed mothers are well taken care of, to carry their pregnancy to full term.

“The system also provides care, protection, rehabilitation and services, including antenatal and postnatal…with this integrated support system to address the problem of cases of infanticide, we do not need a baby hatch,” she added.

Fatimah was speaking to reporters after handing over cakes from the Sarawak Association of Cooking and Cakes to 94 orphans of Kompleks Kebajikan Laila Taib here Saturday.

The nation’s first baby hatch was launched on May 29, with support from the women, family and community development ministry.

Couples unable to take care of their babies could leave them at the OrphanCARE hatch anonymously. The babies will be put up for adoption.


Source: Malay Mail