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ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: Unicef has expressed concern over reports that the earthquake-affected children were being taken from health facilities by individuals or NGOs.
In a statement, the UN agency said although there were many people who worked to help the children, there was also the possibility that the affected children could fall into the hands of unscrupulous individuals or groups.
“UNICEF is vigorously encouraging the registration of all children at the time they are admitted to public or private hospitals. In addition, children must not be discharged unless they are leaving in the company of genuine family members.”
Unicef requested the government to depute children protection officers in all major hospitals admitting such children.
“Often the response of those hearing the suffering of children or seeing painful scenes on their television screens is to offer to adopt a child. At this moment, it’s just too early to talk about adoption,” stated Omar Abdi, the Unicef representative in Pakistan.
He said Uincef was working with the ministry of social welfare to provide care to the children until every effort to try and trace their relatives and reunite them with their families had been exhausted.
He called upon parliament to pass the Comprehensive Child Protection Bill that was currently in a draft form with the government.
DATABASE: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said on Monday work was underway to collect details of children whose parents and relatives had died in the earthquake.
Mr Sherpao visited over 100 children in two camp hospitals set up by the ministry at the Sports Complex and Aabpara Community Centre in the capital. The minister said Nadra had been asked to compile data on the quake-affected population including the dead and injured as well as orphaned children.
SECURITY: Elaborate security arrangements have been made at hospitals to avoid any security problem and keep a vigil on suspicious elements, said SSP Sikendar Hayat.
The security of unaccompanied children has also been made more effective after deploying lady police, he added.
PIMS: A spokesman for Pims has denied reports published in a section of the press which said three children were kidnapped from the hospital. He said Pims administration was taking all measures for the security of the children as well as their parents injured in the earthquake.
