Cradle centre ‘Ooyala’ for abandoned newborns opens in Telangana’s Karimnagar

Collector advises people who are unable to take care of newborns to utilise the facility and hand over babies at the centre instead of abandoning them on roads and in garbage dumps

Karimnagar: In order to protect abandoned newborns, the district administration launched a cradle centre ‘Ooyala’. The Child Protection wing of the Women and Child Welfare Department established the ‘Ooyala’ facility at the Mother and Child Health Centre, Karimnagar.

Inaugurating the facility on Monday, Collector Pamela Satpathy advised the people who were unable to take care of newborns to utilise the facility and hand over babies at the centre instead of abandoning them on the roads and in garbage dumps. If the newborns had any health issues, they would be provided treatment and would later be shifted to the Shishu Gruha.

Informing that there would not be CCTV camera surveillance at the ‘Ooyala’ facility, she said there would not be any surveillance or enquiry on the people who leave children at the centre. People who want to hand over babies directly could consult with the organisers by calling on 94908 81098. Their details would be kept confidential, she said.

With a number of childless couples approaching officials to adopt children, the abandoned children would be given for adoption following norms, she said, adding that ‘Ooyala’ centres would be opened at Jammikunta, Huzurabad and Choppadandi government hospitals besides at bus-stands and railway stations. If there was an emergency, people could consult officials by dialling child helpline number 1098.