Child Welfare Committee reviews facilities at Lal Ded Hospital

Srinagar, May 14: Continuing with its endeavor to ensure the safety and welfare of children and evaluate the facilities being provided to them, 0n 14/5/2024, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Srinagar headed by Dr Khair ul Nisa with Learned Members Ms Nuzhat Koul, Ms Misbah Rashid, Ms Benish Kazmi and Dr Shahid Ahmad Ronga in close collaboration with Superintendent, State Adoption Agency (SAA), Srinagar, Ms Shaffaq Mattoo and Child Helpline (CHL), Srinagar conducted a comprehensive visit to the Maternity Hospital, LD, Srinagar.

The visit primarily aimed at assessing the Healthcare and wellbeing of children/neonates under the purview different legal/ statutory provisions including Juvenile Justice ((Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 , Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and the awareness, adherence, procedural protocols of the hospital management to legal formalities regarding abandoning and surrendering of children/neonates by their parents , termination of the pregnancy in the cases involving victims of sexual abuse under the provisions of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.

The CWC thoroughly checked the availability of medical equipment, hygiene standards , staff availability, and the overall infrastructure of the hospital to ensure the requisite standards for providing adequate health care to the minor patients.

Furthermore, the CWC engaged in fruitful discussions with hospital management to ascertain their understanding of legal obligations and to provide necessary guidance or recommendations for improvement. Emphasis was laid on the importance of informed consent, confidentiality, and the provision of support services for minors in such sensitive situations. The CWC suggested close cooperation and coordination between the Committee and the hospital authorities in the cases involving minors with the medico-legal element in order to ensure streamlined process of handling such cases within the legal framework,without compromising the rights and interests of child victims of sexual abuse and abandoned/surrendered children.

Additionally, the CWC highlighted the significance of the Cradle Baby Reception (CBR) facility and the Help Desk, which has been established by the Department of Social Welfare under Mission Vatsalya for the parents who wish to legally abandon their newborn children . This initiative provides a safe and legal alternative for parents who have inhibitions to care for their newborns for plethora of reasons, ensuring that these children are embedded in proper environment with all nurturing support and resources.

The visit served as an opportunity for the CWC to assess the quality of care, protection, treatment and support available at LD Hospital , for minors who come under the umbrella of Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 . The visit is destined to add to the cohesion and bonhomie among different stakeholders in order to safeguard the rights of children.