Federal, state govts should set up more baby hatch services across Sarawak, says Bandar Kuching MP

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Dr Kelvin Yii

KUCHING (Jan 18): Both federal and state governments should set up more baby hatch services across Sarawak in light of a recent fatal baby dumping incident, said Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.

“It is not just to protect innocent lives and avoid baby dumping incidence but also spark a greater need and initiative to educate the public on the risk of teenage pregnancies and other factors that give rise to such an issue,” said Dr Yii in a statement.

He added the public should also be educated on all the available support system so that those involved will not resort to jeopardising an innocent life.

“It was very saddening and heart wrenching to hear news and even see pictures of a lifeless new-born baby sprawled on the ground recently in Kuching.”

Dr Yii said many measures could have been taken to avoid such baby dumping case by providing the necessary support to unwed and teenage mothers.

He pointed out a baby hatch service was once available at the former building of KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital but it was no longer available after the hospital moved to a new location at Jalan Stutong here.

“I do hope KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital and other private healthcare facilities will consider providing a baby hatch once more and the government should look at expanding such facilities to every district in Sarawak.”

The Bandar Kuching MP said providing a baby hatch could be seen as providing a last resort option to mothers who had gave birth to illegitimate babies and did not wish to keep them.

“While I recognise the limitations of baby hatches in eliminating this scourge of society altogether, it does provide a last resort to protect the interests, rights, and safety of the child.”

“They (abandoned babies) should not be punished for the mistakes of their parents but given an opportunity to grow up and fulfil their potential in a supportive environment.”

Moreover, Dr Yii said the baby hatch service could also provide opportunities for mother or guardian considering abandonment of their baby to have informal discussions with nurses or social care staff in full confidentiality, if they wish.

“The scale and scope of the problem need a holistic solution. So, while education is the first line, a baby hatch does provide a last line of defence per se especially when considering the right to life for the baby,” he said.

Last week, a 19-year-old woman suspected to be the mother of a newborn baby girl whose body was founded dumped at Jalan Bukit Mata here was arrested and being investigated under Section 318 of the Penal Code.