MANILA, Aug. 23 (PNA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Sunday it has taken custody of the newborn baby shown on a viral video being slapped by the infant’s mother while confined at a hospital.
DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman had earlier instructed the DSWD-National Capital Region to immediately check on the situation of the child in the hospital.
Secretary Soliman said that the social worker assigned to handle the case reported to her that the baby is now at the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit of the hospital while the mother stays in a separate ward.
Meanwhile, some mothers have voluntarily breastfed the baby to satisfy the newborn’s need for food which can be provided through breastfeeding since breast milk is the complete food of an infant as always emphasized by the Department of Health (DOH).
According to the DOH, it is important that a baby is breastfed during the first six months after birth because the infant needs antibodies that only breast milk can provide.
The hospital’s resident doctor on duty said that if the blood culture test of the baby turns out okay, the child could be discharged within two to three days.
Meanwhile, the mother has been advised to remain in the hospital since she still has to undergo blood transfusion and psychiatric check-up.
Upon discharge, the baby will be temporarily taken to a DSWD-managed center pending the identification of a relative who will eventually take care of the child while the mental and psycho-social capability of the mother is being evaluated.
Through the evaluation, the DSWD will determine if the mother is capable of fulfilling her obligation to her child.
The DSWD chief said that based on the initial evaluation, there is probability that the young mother is suffering from postpartum depression, which occurs in some women soon after giving birth.
In view of this, she noted that it is important to impart to the young people that entering a relationship entails corresponding responsibility, especially if such relationship will lead to parenthood.
“It is really important to let the youth understand that if they enter into a relationship, they should first understand that parenthood is a great responsibility,” Secretary Soliman said as she observed that the young mother of the baby seems to be having difficulty adjusting to the new responsibility as a result of postpartum depression. (PNA)