Japanese “Baby Hatch” for unwanted babies
TOKYO, Nov 9 (Reuters Life!) – 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.
By Sun Tzu on 09-11-2006
Comment by Sarah-chan
August 1st, 2007 at 9:09 am
I actually think this is a good idea, and I hope it works well for them!
Comment by Michels
February 4th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
by bed they mean deep frier…mmmmm infant
Comment by jacksonsmum
July 30th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
This seems like it would be a great idea for young mothers who are either unble to physically take care of a young child or who couldn’t finacially care for the child. I myself have 5 children, and am very thankful that countries are turning to this rather than the actions of countries such as africa where they throw them into a building of sorts to die. Praise them in their journey!
Comment by kandy
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:52 am
i'm going to adopt a japenese baby