東京とうきょうの「赤あかちゃんポスト」運用うんよう1か月かげつ 実際じっさいに赤あかちゃん預あづけられる

A month has passed since a hospital in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, began operating a so-called baby hatch, where children whose parents cannot raise them are taken in anonymously. It has now been learned through interviews with the hospital that a newborn baby has already been left there.

Sumida-ku, Tokyos San-ikukai Hospital began operating a so-called baby hatch, where children who cannot be raised by their parents can be anonymously left, at the end of March this year. They have named it the Baby Basket.

Also, confidential births, in which pregnant women give birth without revealing their identity except to medical institutions, will be launched at the same time. In both cases, this will be the second case in the country following a hospital in Kumamoto City.

One month after the start of the project, interviews with the hospital have revealed for the first time that, in addition to receiving multiple consultations and inquiries about confidential births, there was a case where a newborn baby was actually placed in the baby basket.

The specific number of cases has not been disclosed, but according to the hospital, there have been no instances where the babies health was in jeopardy, and in some cases, notes believed to have been written by the parents were left behind.

Director Hitoshi Katō of San-ikukai Hospital said, Im glad the baby is alive, and Im grateful they brought the baby to us.

There are many people who feel cornered because they cant talk to their close family members.

As incidents of babies being abandoned continue to occur, we all need to think together about how society should respond.

He says, Anyway, I want you to talk to someone instead of worrying alone.

The hospital also offers anonymous telephone consultations regarding concerns about pregnancy and childbirth, and is encouraging people to contact them first if they have any worries.