Hotline for desperate mums being set up

Star: A special hotline will be set up to help women and girls with unwanted pregnancies in a bid to stop baby dumping.
State Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Dr Robia Kosai said some of the dumping cases had led to the death of some babies.
She said the cases could be prevented if those affected discussed their problems with someone on ways to have the baby adopted.
“We are very concerned about reports of newborn babies being abandoned, thrown into rivers, left at dumping sites or flushed down toilet bowls,” she said, adding that Telekom Malaysia would expedite the setting up of the hotline.
“Such irresponsible actions are criminal and cruel, and we want to help women or girls with unwanted pregnancies give their babies up for adoption,” she said at her Hari Raya open house here yesterday.
She said the Welfare Department could assist the adoption process in a discreet manner, and there were even families willing to bear the delivery, hospitalisation and other costs.
“We will set up the hotline soon. Meanwhile, we ask welfare officers to help those with unwanted pregnancies,” she added.
Dr Robia said she was glad that the baby who was found in a travelling bag at a dump site near Tanjung Agas here last month had been adopted.
“I hope the family will take good care of the baby,” she said.