It is heart-wrenching to read about and see pictures of abandoned babies, many of whom are left to die in places such as toilets and rubbish bins. In Malaysia, the incidence of abandoned babies is reported to be about 2 cases per 10,000 live births or about a hundred cases per year. As is apparent from frequent reports in the media, the problem of unwanted babies has become more serious over the years with more and more babies being abandoned. We cannot afford to allow these children to die and be punished. We must protect their right to life.  We plan to set up a Baby Hatch on OrphanCARE’s premises where mothers must be allowed to leave their babies without fear of prosecution so that these babies can be cared for. Ideally these centres should be distributed widely all over the country and easily accessible to mothers, preferably at government hospitals and health centres.   The ‘Baby Hatch’ at OrphanCARE’s premises will be the first such facility in Malaysia and if successful,  we hope it  would be replicated all over the country.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Does OrphanCARE have government support?
OrphanCARE has the support of the Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development and is in fact working closely with the Ministry.  The Ministry will shortly establish a Task Force to review and update the Adoption Acts, Registration Act etc and has invited OrphanCARE to be part of the task force. OrphanCARE also intends to work with other Government departments, NGOs, the media and members of the public towards achieving the above-mentioned  objectives.