Baby buried in Kapit still hospitalised; mother’s postpartum depression link unconfirmed, says Nancy Shukri

KUCHING, Oct 31 — The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) has yet to receive medical confirmation on whether the mother of a baby boy found buried in Kapit recently was suffering from postpartum depression.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said registered counsellors and hospital medical personnel had important roles to play in identifying the underlying issues faced by the mother.

“We do not know yet, which is why counsellors play a very important role. The Health Ministry also needs to involve the doctors and nurses handling the case.

“I cannot comment beyond what we know so far, as the police are still investigating the case, but our protection team is working with the family and counsellors to determine the actual problem so that they can provide assistance,” she told a press conference after officiating the KPWKM Santuni Kasih Programme here today.

Nancy said discussions on whether the baby would be placed under the care of family members or other suitable parties had yet to be concluded, as both the mother and baby were understood to still be receiving hospital treatment.

She also advised mothers in need of emotional and postnatal health support to seek assistance through the MamaCare initiative, managed by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).

Earlier, Kapit police chief DSP Rohana Nanu was reported as saying that a baby boy who was still alive was found buried in the ground near a rented house in Jalan Airport, Kapit, on Wednesday.

The baby, who was initially reported to be in critical condition, was rushed to Sibu Hospital for specialist treatment, while the case is being investigated under Section 317 of the Penal Code. — Bernama