Security beefed up in hospitals

Security has been jacked up at Dubai hospitals following the abduction of a day-old baby from his crib in the maternity ward.

Hidden cameras monitor entries, and ID checks are carried out on all visitors. A body scan system is among the new measures put in place to avoid a repeat of the outrage, which sent shockwaves across the country.

Both UAE nationals and expatriate mothers welcomed the heightened security.

Last Monday, a veiled woman sneaked into the maternity ward and snatched the newborn. It was the first time such a crime had taken place in a hospital in the emirate

The baby was returned to the parents after police arrested the suspected kidnapper. Hospital authorities said newborn babies will be given tags, which will activate alarms if taken out of the hospitals without going through the security procedure.

Maha B. R., a UAE national mother, said there should be stricter checks for visitors at hospitals. According to a doctor at a hospital, the new changes will include a machine called "Tetra".

It will be provided to the hospital by the police. The machine will send an alert if anyone attempts to sneak a baby out of the hospital.

Another change is that visitors will have to present their ID at the hospital reception, added the doctor.