Young mothers urged to seek counseling following case of abandoned baby

The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation is urging pregnant women, especially young mothers, to seek counseling services and State assistance.

This follows the case of the two-day-old baby girl who was abandoned at St Christopher’s Home in Nakasi last week.

While visiting the baby at CWM Hospital, Minister for Women, Rosy Akbar said the Ministry will not condone any cases where a child’s safety and wellbeing is being compromised.

Akbar said the baby is under medical observation at the CWM hospital.

She said the Ministry is the legal custodian of the child who is abandoned.

Akbar said a court order has to be obtained before the child is placed into Residential Care Homes.

She will be kept there until they are able to locate her mother.

Akbar said police investigations continue and she reiterates that the Ministry does not condone such acts where babies are abandoned and left at the doorsteps.

Akbar said once the mother is located, the Ministry will provide counseling services and look at possible ways through which she and the child can be assisted.

However, the Ministry will not release the child until they feel that the mother or the family in this case is capable of looking after the child.