We do not stop mothers reuniting with their children: Dr Koroivueta

The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Permanent Secretary Dr Josefa Koroivueta said they

would not stop mothers from reuniting with their abandoned children.

His comment follows after a mother recently abandoned her baby at the Labasa Market on April 24 and failed to return.

The newborn baby girl is under the care of Ministry of Health and Medical Services and has been kept at the Labasa Hospital ever since. “We will not stop the mother if she comes back and takes her child. However, she will be counselled and assisted if she needs

assistance and support from the State,” Dr Koroivueta said.

“We will also make links with the community for the support.

“In such incidents, once a case is reported, our department comes in under the Juvenile Act to take over the welfare and well-being of the child,” he explained.

“The director or staff approach the Court for a care order that gives the director the legal guardianship of the child.

“The child is then placed in one

of the institutions and our department then arranges for foster care or adoption if there are applicants. “No one else may arrange or place the child with anyone.

“It is illegal.”

When asked about how long the baby would be kept at the Labasa Hospital, Dr Koroivueta said: “We will wait until clearance is given by the medical personnel.

“This is the procedure; the child will have to be taken to the hospital for medical check-up before we take her over to the institution.”