Childline takes infant under its care

: Childline on Saturday took under its care an infant born to an unwed mother as part of an agreement made with the woman six months ago.

The 21-day-old infant was taken under its care after Childline provided facilities for the woman to give birth in a private hospital.

Childline Coordinator Anwar Karakkadan said the organisation gave financial, legal and medical help to the woman after she agreed not to kill the foetus. “We could convince her that abortion was not only dangerous for her health but illegal too,” Mr. Anwar said. Mr. Anwar and his team waited for 21 days after the childbirth as the baby had developed urinary complications. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) functioning under the Social Justice Department will take care of the child. The newborn was produced before CWC member Haris Panchily, who shifted the baby to the Child Care Centre here.

Social workers involved in efforts to foeticide said the Childline’s initiative was a rare one. “We could provide not only medical help to the unwed mother, but also familial and social security,” said Mr. Anwar.

The organisation gave financial and medical help to the mother after she agreed

not to kill the foetus.