This refers to a letter by Mr Iftikhar Mirza ‘Kidnappings of babies’ (March 26). I fully endorse the views of the learned writer. Abduction of new born babies from hospitals has become a lucrative business in the country. Hospitals face unique challenges when it comes to preventing infant abduction. More or less the incidents of infant abduction occur in every part of the world. In Pakistan news regarding kidnapping of newborn babies from hospitals also keep on appearing in the press from time to time. The crimes of kidnapping newborn babies from hospitals occur due to non-availability of standard security procedures for the protection of newborn babies in the hospital, lack of knowledge regarding infant’s security and negligence of hospital management. Similarly, the concerned hospital staffs also do not bother to educate newborn’s family regarding security precautions to be observed by them while the baby is left in the mother’s room. They also do not introduce the staff who is authorized to take their baby out of the room for tests/checkup. However, no hospital ever wants to be the site of a stolen child. Not only is such an event a traumatic experience for the newborn’s family and the hospital staff, but it can have a major financial impact on a medical facility – either through lawsuits or lost business due to negative publicity. There are very few hospitals in the country, which follow standard security procedures to protect newborn babies against the threat of kidnapping in the hospital. Here are some suggested guidelines for the hospital management for preventing infant abduction in the hospital: -
Every hospital must develop a written, critical-incident-response plan to respond to an infant abduction. Attach ID bracelets to infant and parents must wear identification wristband with number that matches the bracelet of the child for providing additional security for the infant.
Prohibit “arm carrying” infants, they should always to be transported in a bassinet, with an identification tag with number that matches the bracelet of the child. Beside taking colour photograph, storing sample of the infant’s cord blood, and description of the infant also take readable footprints of each infant within a maximum of two hours of the birth. Footprints are an excellent form of identification if an abducted infant if recovered. Install close circuit television surveillance colour cameras using recording by either tape or digital technology to record activities in the hallways of the birthing unit including interior and exterior of the hospital. Hospital should provide written guidelines to parents of newborn babies regarding measures they should take to prevent abduction of their infant while in the hospital.
Always place infants in direct line-of-sight supervision by a reasonable staff member, the mother or mother’s personal attendant (having hospital’s pass).
If the mother is asleep and the infant is returned to the room, staff should be careful to fully awaken her before leaving the room. In addition to inter-com a panic button should be also be installed in the mother’s room to alert the hospital staff/security by the mother in case of any emergency especially if the infant is found missing from the room.
Parents of the newborn baby should also ask the hospital management regarding security responsibilities of parents in safeguarding the newborn in addition to the responsibility of hospital staff.
SQN/LDR (RETD) SYED AUSAF HUSAIN,
Karachi, March 26.