Men Contribute To Baby Dumping - ZINATHA President
The Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA) president George Kandiero has said women usually abandon their babies as a result of neglect by the father.
His remarks come after reports by The Manica Post that a newly-born baby girl was found dumped in the middle of Mutare – Harare highway last week.
The infant, who was naked when she was discovered at around 2 am, is suspected to have been abandoned by her mother. She was inside a plastic bag and was picked up from the middle of the road by an identified woman who was travelling with her husband.
The couple handed over the baby to authorities at Rusape General Hospital for examinations with the assistance of the police. It was concluded that the baby was in stable condition and had just been delivered. The infant was admitted to the maternity ward awaiting further management and onward referral to a relevant care centre.
Kandiero also said baby dumping could be “due to multiple partners” which results in the mother finding it difficult to pinpoint the actual father.
Elinah Gwadzira, a Harare resident said mothers usually abandon their newly-born babies owing to a lack of resources for the baby’s upkeep. She told The Herald:
Most women dump their babies due to lack of money to provide for them. It defeats common sense why a mother would abandon a child she would have carried in her womb for nine months.
Another Harare resident, Christine Taadzwa, said girls should be enlightened on reproductive issues so that they are not caught unawares.
