Four babies greet new year at San Fernando hospital

Four babies, two girls and two boys were born on New Year’s morning at the San Fernando General Hospital.

The first baby, a girl named Rebecca by her proud mother Roxanna Riley-Webster, was born at 12.09 am. Rebecca tipped the scales at 3.72 kilograms.

Then a few minutes later, at 12.49 am, the first boy of 2019 was born to Sharda Persad, 29. He weighed 2.60 kilograms. The second and fourth babies were born at 12.41 am and 1.31 am respectively. However their mothers declined interviews. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, in what has become a tradition, jokingly attempted to get the mothers to give their babies a middle name sounding conspicuously like his own name saying if it was a boy they should consider Terrance or if a girl, Terry.

His attempts were met with shy smiles by both mothers who said they would have to consult their husbands.

Riley-Webster said Rebecca, who is her third child, was not expected to be born until later in the month.

“But I am real excited. Everyone who know that I came into the hospital say make that baby new year’s day, new year’s day, wait, wait, wait.”

She admitted to knowing that she was having a girl.

Asked about the hospital’s service, Riley-Webster said more staff was needed on the maternity ward.

“Well they need more staff, that is one, because when I was about to go into labour, no nurse was there, a nurse had to leave where she was to come and see about me. It only had two staff on the ward that day.”

Deyalsingh said he would have to “check and verify” the claim before commenting on the issue.

And commenting on her new born son, Persad, who already has four children said his birth felt like her first delivery.

“It was painful but I am glad he is now here.”

She said although her son was due on Old Year’s Day she was delighted he was born on New Year’s Day. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Deyalsingh said he always enjoyed visiting the SFGH to speak to the new mothers and staff. He said healthcare workers were “probably the most under appreciated” people in TT.

“We don’t have public holidays in health, we work 24 hours, seven days a week, And I think it is important to come out and show solidarity with healthcare workers, it is always a joy to come out and see the new babies who were born on New Year’s Day at San Fernando.

Health workers are probably the most under appreciated people in TT and I will always be here to support them.”

All of the new mothers received hampers from the South West Regional Health Authority.