In a case that puts the spotlight on unregulated postnatal care centers in Shanghai, a woman is refusing to leave a care center unless she is compensated 30,000 yuan (US$3,614) after her baby contracted an infection.

The baby boy was infected by E. coli bacteria and the woman's family told reporters that they blamed the Yangpu branch of the CICI International Maternity and Infancy Co for it.

The center said yesterday that it was in talks with the woman, surnamed Zheng, but insisted that it was not responsible for the baby's infection.

Instead it blamed the mother who was running a fever for 20 days after giving birth.

Zheng began her stay at the center on January 24 after signing a contract with the Shanghai-based company for 40 days. Her baby was taken to hospital on February 24 for treatment after he showed signs of fever.

The center said that because the baby was ill, it had extended the stay, free of charge, by 15 days after the contract ended.

Zheng, however, said she would stay at the center until an agreement on compensation was reached.

Her family said the center had stopped supplying food, water and power to try and force her to leave and even threw her luggage out of her room on Monday, the Xinmin Evening News reported.

In China, tradition dictates that new mothers stay indoors for at least a month and receive special diet and treatment. Many postnatal centers have been set up to meet the demand but the growing industry is unregulated.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)