The ministry circulated stern instructions to both public and private hospitals instructing them to take the footprints of newborn babies immediately after delivery and to tie magnetic bracelets to their wrists before the umbilical cord is cut. It was said that these bracelets are linked to a warning system that electronically alert mothers if their child is moved outside the radius of a specified area.

The instructions also included placing bells at doors that ring whenever someone opens them in addition to electronic doors that only open with passes that are only issued to authorized personnel. The ministry asked all hospitals across the Kingdom to adhere to its instructions.

We assumed that these measures would put an end to the problem of people kidnapping newborn babies. This ugly practice, however, suddenly resurfaced at the Madinah Maternity and Child Hospital. It is as if these instructions never existed.

Following the recent kidnapping of a newborn baby in Madinah, I asked a Ministry of Health employee whether the ministry's instructions were followed and whether support was given to ensure these precautions were taken in hospitals. He said he does not think so. I also found it surprising that many private hospitals have also not followed these instructions. The attitude of our hospitals epitomizes how we are. We wake up after a tragedy occurs. We react to catastrophes and then forget after some time. Although we are not short of regulations or plans, there is a real problem with following up matters and accountability. We only rely on rules and regulations to serve our personal interests.

I just wish the Ministry of Health would establish a department to check whether hospitals following their instructions. The ministry should publicize its findings and punish hospitals that fail to implement these crucial and precautionary measures. Those children that are kidnapped are our own flesh and blood, not medicine, pillows or bedsheets.