Fabella Hospital (Philippines) and Abandoned Infants: Resources and Referral Pathways

The provided context does not contain specific information about Fabella Hospital (Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Manila) regarding abandoned babies.

What Is Known About Fabella Hospital

  • National referral center for maternal and neonatal health (DOH-retained).
  • High-volume delivery facility (~30,000+ births/year).
  • Operates a Human Milk Bank and Kangaroo Mother Care unit.
  • Serves predominantly indigent patients; social service department handles complex discharges.

Standard Pathways for Abandoned Infants in the Philippines

  1. Hospital Social Service / Medical Social Work: Immediate custody; coordinates with DSWD.
  2. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD): Legal guardian via "Declaration of Abandonment" (RA 9523). Places in licensed child-caring agencies (CCAs) or foster care.
  3. Local Government Unit (LGU) - Manila: Barangay, CSWDO involvement.
  4. Philippine National Police (PNP) - Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC): If criminal abandonment suspected.
  5. NGO Partners: Kaisahang Buhay Foundation, NORFIL Foundation, Hospicio de San Jose, Asilo de San Vicente de Paul, Virlanie Foundation.

How to Get Current Data

  • Contact Fabella Hospital Social Service: (02) 8711-6901 to 09 local 205/206 (verify current number).
  • DSWD-NCR: (02) 8733-0014 to 18.
  • Visit dswd.gov.ph → "Adoption & Foster Care" → "List of Licensed CCAs."

For research or journalism: secure ethics clearance, hospital permission, and DSWD coordination. Patient confidentiality (Data Privacy Act of 2012) is paramount.

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