Joy at PoSGH

IT may seem like just another day to most, but bringing a new life into the world is beyond compare.

It was a special Mother's Day for several women in TT yesterday as they held their bundles of joy, not thinking about the sleepless nights in their future.

Two babies were born at the Port of Spain general hospital (PoSGH) yesterday, while four were born at the Mt Hope women's hospital.

Yesterday's Mother's Day coincided with International Nurses Day, and Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh praised the nurses for helping TT achieve its sustainable development goals in reducing infant and maternal mortality rates 12 years ahead of schedule.

"I have to come out and support the nurses, the doctors, mid-wives and obstetricians who have taken TT to first world status," he said as he visited the maternity wards at the two hospitals.

He announced that a new gynae-obstetrics ward is to be constructed, with work beginning in September. This will be Ward 202.

The contract for the new central block at the PoSGH has been awarded to the Shanghai Construction Group for $1.1 billion. Preparatory works have begun and and the 540-bed tower is expected to be completed within two to three years.

Still appealing to mothers to name at least one child after him, Deyalsingh had to settle for just a kiss.

"I have one more Christmas and one more Mother's Day to go, so hope springs eternal."

Each year in TT about 17,000 babies are born, with 90-92 per cent of births taking place in the public sector, and only about eight per cent in the private sector.

Deyalsingh again praised the medical staff with bringing down the maternal and infant mortality rate since 2016.

Chief executive officer of the North West Regional Health Authority Wendy Ali said while women were concerned about their children, they also liked to be appreciated.

"When a woman is pregnant she is concerned that her baby has ten toes and ten fingers. When you have this baby in your arms and people recognise this what greater gift can this be for a mother? They are celebrating the trials you have been through. Being a mother is a joyful and painful thing at the same time," she said.