Hospital plans to set up baby hatch
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061109/od_nm/japan_babies_dc&printer=1
Hospital plans to set up baby hatch
Thu Nov 9, 8:48 AM ET
A Japanese hospital plans to set up the country's first "baby hatch"
where mothers can drop off unwanted babies, who could then be offered
for adoption.
Jikei Hospital in southern Japan said it plans to install what it is
calling a "stork's cradle," consisting of a flap in an outside wall
which opens on to a small incubated bed.
An alarm bell would ring within minutes after a baby was deposited so
hospital staff could come and care for the infant.
"By installing the hatch, we want to rescue both parents and babies,"
said a hospital official. "Maybe there are some people who are
suspicious about it, but we should not pretend not to see them and let
them die. Babies are innocent."
The head of the hospital was inspired to set up the "baby hatch" after
visiting Germany, where they have already been introduced. The hospital
wants to set up the baby hatch by the end of this year after getting
approval from local authorities.
Adoptions are relatively rare in Japan, while there is little
resistance on religious grounds to abortions.
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