News / National
116 babies born on Christmas day
27 Dec 2012 at 04:28hrs | Views
A total of 33 babies were born on Christmas Day at Bulawayo's three largest referral hospitals. While Harare and Chitungwiza recorded a total of 83 babies born at the three major public hospitals.
The largest number of babies was born at Mpilo Central Hospital, which recorded 18 births while United Bulawayo Hospitals' Lady Rodwell Maternity Hospital recorded 11 and Mater Dei recorded four.
Mater Dei had the biggest baby, which weighed 3,76kg.
When a news crew visited the hospitals yesterday the officials said most mothers were in good health and had been discharged.
UBH senior midwife, Sister Sehlule Siziba said of the 11 mothers who had delivered five were teenagers.
"A total of five baby girls and six baby boys were born on Christmas Day. Our first baby was born at 4.05am, eleven babies were born healthy and only one died," said Sister Siziba.
Maternity matron for Mpilo Central Hospital, Matron Sikangezile Moyo said they recorded an equal number of baby boys and girls.
"Our biggest baby weighed 3,7kg and this time we did not have twins. Nine girls and nine boys were born at this hospital," said Matron Moyo.
King Polyclinic Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr Emmerson Masuku, said the clinic did not record deliveries on Christmas Day.
"Last year we delivered three babies but this year there was no delivery on Christmas Day," said Dr Masuku.
Statistics from Bulawayo City Council-run maternity clinics could not be obtained as nurses in charge referred the reporter to the local authority's director of health services Dr Zanele Hwalima, who could not be reached on her mobile phone.
A mother, who had delivered at UBH, Mrs Regina Moyo said she did not expect to give birth on Christmas Day.
"We have not named my son, but I am overjoyed that I gave birth to him on a blessed day like Christmas," said Mrs Moyo.
The largest number of babies was born at Mpilo Central Hospital, which recorded 18 births while United Bulawayo Hospitals' Lady Rodwell Maternity Hospital recorded 11 and Mater Dei recorded four.
Mater Dei had the biggest baby, which weighed 3,76kg.
When a news crew visited the hospitals yesterday the officials said most mothers were in good health and had been discharged.
UBH senior midwife, Sister Sehlule Siziba said of the 11 mothers who had delivered five were teenagers.
"A total of five baby girls and six baby boys were born on Christmas Day. Our first baby was born at 4.05am, eleven babies were born healthy and only one died," said Sister Siziba.
Maternity matron for Mpilo Central Hospital, Matron Sikangezile Moyo said they recorded an equal number of baby boys and girls.
"Our biggest baby weighed 3,7kg and this time we did not have twins. Nine girls and nine boys were born at this hospital," said Matron Moyo.
King Polyclinic Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr Emmerson Masuku, said the clinic did not record deliveries on Christmas Day.
"Last year we delivered three babies but this year there was no delivery on Christmas Day," said Dr Masuku.
Statistics from Bulawayo City Council-run maternity clinics could not be obtained as nurses in charge referred the reporter to the local authority's director of health services Dr Zanele Hwalima, who could not be reached on her mobile phone.
A mother, who had delivered at UBH, Mrs Regina Moyo said she did not expect to give birth on Christmas Day.
"We have not named my son, but I am overjoyed that I gave birth to him on a blessed day like Christmas," said Mrs Moyo.
Source - TC, ZBC
