The Ministry of Health, Family and Social Assistance stated today that the child taken into state care upon birth was handled in accordance with the law, and that a child is taken into state care only in situations where protection cannot be ensured by the family.

The mother of the child raised questions and expressed concern on social media after the child was taken into state care. The 25-year-old mother stated that her child was taken into state care citing her mental health issues and a disability in her hand as reasons. She also stated that the child was taken on the third day after birth against the mother's wishes.

In a statement issued regarding the matter, the ministry stated that providing necessary protection to the child is a responsibility of the state, and that Article 35 of the Constitution of the Maldives establishes that receiving special assistance and special protection from the family, community, and the state is a right guaranteed to children and young persons.

Citing Article 8 of the Child Rights Protection Act, the statement noted that primary consideration must be given to protecting the best interests of the child when making decisions regarding a minor.

The ministry stated that before taking a child into state care in situations where the child's protection is not ensured, the state will always work to protect the rights of the child while keeping the child with the parents. The statement also highlighted that if children cannot be kept with their parents, keeping the child with someone within the child's family who can provide protection is something the state will prioritize in the best interest of the child.

The ministry stated that a child will not be taken into state care except in situations where the child's parents and any member of the child's family cannot ensure protection for the child in any of those circumstances.

"We highlight that in every issue submitted regarding children, a child will be brought under state care only in situations where the protection that should be received by a child cannot be ensured within the child's family, and a child cannot be taken under state care without identifying and considering all the circumstances surrounding the child," the ministry's statement said.

The ministry stated that taking a child into state care is the final measure that can be taken under the law.

According to the ministry, immediate action can be taken to provide care and protection for a child in situations where any child's protection is not ensured. Therefore, removing the child from the environment they are in and bringing them under state care, as well as temporarily entrusting the care of the child to another party, are also available options, it said.

The ministry also stated that the circulation of inaccurate news on media platforms regarding children and individuals living in vulnerable situations is a matter of concern. The statement urged caution when circulating such information and requested not to circulate inaccurate information.

As this issue went viral on social media, many people raised questions regarding the reason the child had to be taken into state care. Criticism was directed at how the Gender Ministry acted in this matter based on account published by the mother.

The Child and Family Protection Service sent a letter to the family detailing the reasons why the child was taken into state care. According to the letter, the child was taken because concerns regarding protection had been submitted to the agency.

The letter stated that the environment where the mother, who had the child out of wedlock, lives, her mental condition, the disability in her hand, and the lack of anyone in the family to provide care were the reasons why the child had to be taken into state care.