Cases of infants being taken away from hospitals — in some cases by persons seeking to adopt a child — have occurred before. Such cases have taken place in Rawalpindi, Multan, Lahore and in other cities. What is disturbing, however, is that no effort has been made to get to the bottom of these cases and pin down the culprits — who in some cases are members of hospital staff. This is one of the factors that has led to the continuation of such incidents, which leave distraught families — and often when the victims are not found — with a sense of uncertainty that could last a lifetime.
The latest abduction has taken place at the federally-run National Institute for Child Health (NICH) in Karachi, where an eight-month-old baby girl was taken away from her nine-year old brother by a woman who offered to hold her while the boy fetched her a drink. The traumatised family has lodged an FIR. It remains to be seen how the police handle the case and if the child can be recovered. What is frightening is that this is the second incident of the same nature to take place at the NICH within a few months. In November last year, a newborn baby boy, being treated at the facility, had also been kidnapped. It is hard to believe that such events can take place without inside connivance. But certainly, along with an investigation, we also need better security measures at all hospitals and families need to be warned about the risks of leaving their babies unguarded. It also needs to be ensured that security guards do not allow infants to leave the premises without a proper proof of identity of the parents.
We can only hope that the NICH management will take the matter seriously. Had it done so in November, this latest tragedy may not have occurred. Perhaps, we also need to look at the desperate need people feel to ‘obtain’ children, possibly for adoption. A better mechanism to do so through legal means is required. But ensuring better security, of course, is the key measure. Abductions at hospitals must be stopped and every child taken to them must be kept safe so that these crimes can be controlled and punishments meted out.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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@kaalchakra: Interesting what-if thought raised by you- These cases of ‘abductions’ shouldn’t be treated any more than cases of simple theft. That is possible if we live in a world where humans behave like wild animals with no feelings. Are you by chance a person devoid of emotions?
@kaalchakra: Didn't know what Janissaries meant until I looked up. Help me understand what is the connection here. I understand that in history there was a small band of Turkish army created 1st time with not-so-free people with special training in firearms. There is also an interesting science fiction novel series. Are you trying to say that unlike the 'tamed', 'docile' Janissaries(humans) designed to serve aliens, you are showing 'initiative' by raising provocative thought process in your responses??
@kaalchakra: you don't have sense that is all i can tell for you.
Ajay
Have you heard of the janissaries?
From Kalchakra's postings here and elewhere, I can make that he has some serious mental issues.
@kaalchakra: Once you will become father, you will understand how much difference it makes loosing a child, forget the pain of mother which you will never be able to understand.
Guys, sure, parents have a right to their child just as they have a right to their alarm clock. So the theft should be handled as a criminal case.
But for the child himself or herself, what difference does it make to be brought up by one set of human beings rather than another? Perhaps, in the perfect world, children should be given over to the people who can raise them the best.
In my opinion, if found, abducters and child molesters should be grossly humiliated, mutiliated and torched in the public. Amen!
@kaalchakra: Ask a father or mother whose child has been abducted..... Abduction is worst than death. Death is a certainty - you finally come to know that your kid is dead. BUT abduction is not a certainty, you never get to know about your kid. And that uncertainty is a killer my friend, You keep guessing about the whereabouts of your child with every breathe you take untill you die. Comparing abduction with a simple theft of your cell phone, you jewellery, or your car is extremely naive; even idiotic.
kaalchakra i am sorry but it does make a difference. A mother who brings the baby to this world has all the right to stay with her child and raise her the way she wants. I can not believe you are justifying kidnapping.
I don't know if you will publish a counter point. Hope you do.
We are all human beings. Somebody's loss is always somebody's gain. So long as a child is brought up well, what difference does it make if a child is brought up by his or her parents or someone else? I don't think we should be discriminating among human beings like that. Biological coincidence shouldn't become destiny. These cases of 'abductions' shouldn't be treated any more than cases of simple theft.