KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah Health Department lodged a police report today refuting allegations it “snatches” babies in the state’s hospitals as reported by a media portal.
The department’s director Dr Asits Sanna said it had immediately launched an investigation after the portal posted a piece yesterday titled “Baby snatching: How stateless mums lose their infants in Sabah hospital.”
He said the department found the allegation to be untrue and that there were no such instances in any Health Ministry hospital in the state, following which it lodged a report at the Lahad Datu district police headquarters as the case purportedly occurred at a hospital there.
“We take these allegations seriously and assure all customers at Sabah state health facilities that our top priority is their safety and well-being.
“All patients receiving treatment at any healthcare facility are provided with appropriate care in accordance with the laws and regulations of Malaysia.
“In cases of abandoned or neglected infants and children, the hospital refers the matter to the Child Protector Officer as provided for under the Child Act 2001,” he said in a statement today.
He also said the department will give full cooperation to the authorities in their investigation. – September 16, 2023