SCORES OF CHILDREN ARE ABANDONED IN HOSPITALS

From Adevarul Sept. 6, 2006
Author: Dana Timofticiuc

SCORES OF CHILDREN ARE ABANDONED IN HOSPITALS

The number of children abandoned in hospitals and maternity wards in Vaslui county has risen alarmingly, compared with last year. The abandonment of children demonstrates that a society is sick and this is true of Romania as it traverses these years of transition.

Ionel Armeanu Stefanica, director of CPS of Vaslui county said, "The phenomenon of children abandoned in hospitals has increased alarmingly." Compared with last year, when a total of 80 abandonments were registered, through August of 2006, there were already this many children abandoned. It is anticipated that by the end of the year the number of children abandoned will be twice as large as it was in 2005. According to authorities, the main reason these mother abandon their children is poverty. Abandonments are continuing in spite of the fact that abortions are easily available, as are contraceptives. Statistics from UNICEF show that at the end of 2005, more than 9,000 newborns were abandoned in maternity hospitals in Romania. According to these sources, the rate of abandonment of children has remained the same for the last 30 years.

SIX HUNDRED FAMILIES FORSOOK THEIR CHILDREN

Six hundred families from Vaslui county left Romania to work abroad. They usually left their children in the care of relatives. The authorities are saying, however, that these families have made a grave error. Armeanu declared, "Children should live in a family with a mother and father. Otherwise their lives will be severely marked by the departure of the parents during childhood. The child has need of parents all the time. The departure of both parents abroad will probably affect these children for the rest of their lives." Cumulatively, abandonments and the departure of parents to work abroad will ravage the mentality and perceptions of families in society.