Maternity ward introduces electronic tagging for babies

The maternity ward at a hospital in Esch-sur-Alzette has introduced electronic tagging for newborns to prevent the risk of baby abductions.

The Hospital Emile Mayrisch (CHEM) is offering the Aeroscout service free of charge to all parents. Under the system, babies are fitted with a tag containing a chip which allows the mother to locate the infant in the hospital.

If someone tries to remove a baby from maternity ward while it is wearing the tag, an alarm will sound and security staff will immediately be able to locate the child. At the same time the Grand Ducal Police will be alerted.

Each year some 1,300 babies are born at the CHEM. While newborn abduction is a rare occurrence in Luxembourg, the new technology provides an additional safeguard for parents. The maternity department recommends the use of the tags but parents are free to accept or refuse their use.