Baby hatch rescued 216 babies

PETALING JAYA: While the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) claims the baby hatch project was a failure, the OrphanCARE Foundation says it has rescued 216 babies since it began operations in May 2010 and even cared for women with unwanted pregnancies.
OrphanCARE Foundation Trustee-Head of Media, Publicity and Fundraising Nor'aini Hashim said of the saved babies, 134 were adopted by families and 82 were surrendered to their biological mothers after counselling sessions.
"Some mothers regret their deed of abandoning their newborns and later come and claim them," Nor'aini told theSun.
She said some mothers come after a few days to claim their children while others a little later.
It is learnt that some unwed mothers panic when they deliver not knowing what to do with their newborns and that's when they decide to abandon or leave them at the foundation.
Nor'aini said there is a need to create more awareness of the foundation so that unwed mothers can leave their newborn at the foundation rather than resorting to leaving them unattended or trying to kill them.
She said all that the mother needs do is leave their child in the baby hatch.
"We also provide shelter for pregnant mothers, but not too many, with caregivers caring for them," she said, adding that Suhakam is wrong in saying that the foundation is only a baby hatch and does not care about ladies with unwanted pregnancies.
"We provide shelter, protection and care for ladies with unwanted pregnancies, although we do not have the capacity for big numbers," she said.
Nor'aini said they have two counsellors to give support for unwed mothers and help them through their pregnancy.
"We urge those who decide not to have their children, to come forward and hand their documents to ease the adoption procedures," she said, adding that their assistance is needed to expedite adoption although the foundation will not force to those who want to remain anonymous.
She assured that those taking children for adoption are screened thoroughly including for criminal records, interviewed and all details documented in a 32-page questionaire before handing a child.
"They even have to attend a parenting course with us," said Nor'aini, adding in some cases the biological mothers decide as to which couple adopts their child.
For babies left in the hatch, she said, they will have no documentations, stateless and no citizenship.
"We normally lodge a police report and seek help from Social Welfare Department to get a citizenship status. It's a long process and that is why it is important for the mothers to come and see us," she added.
On an average, Noraini said, they receive two babies a month from mothers who are in their teens or early 20s.
The Foundation has set up baby hatches in Petaling Jaya, Johor Bahru and Sungai Petani. It also collaborates with KPJ Healthcare Berhad which has eight baby hatches.
As to Suhakam, Nor'aini said they have met with them to explain what they do, including talking about sex education in 20 colleges and schools.
According to police statistics, a total of 104 baby dumping cases were recorded in 2015 with only 43 babies found alive.