Concern as teenage girls make half of new mothers in Yumbe on Christmas Day

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A total of 43 new babies were born across the four major health facilities in Yumbe district on Christmas Day.

These facilities are Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital, Yumbe Health Centre IV, Lodonga Health Centre IV and Midigo Health Centre IV.

Of all the babies born, 27 were baby girls.

Amina Sumbua, the assistant nursing officer at Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital who doubles as the In-charge labour suit, said they managed to deliver 20 babies on Christmas Day.

She said most of the babies were delivered normally, while some were delivered through Caesarean section.

Sumbua added that all the babies and their mothers were in good health.

Hadija Nakato, smiling at the sight of her baby girl at Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital in Yumbe district. (Photo by Adam Gule)

"We thank God that we managed to deliver up to 20 babies on Christmas Day. All the babies and their babies are in stable condition," she said.

Teenage mothers

Sumbua, however, expressed concerns over the growing number of teenage mothers in the district.

She revealed that at least half of the mothers who delivered on Christmas Day are girls below 19 years old.

"Can you believe that at least half of the mothers who delivered on Christmas Day are teenagers? It is something which is becoming so common, and there is a need for collective efforts to address it," Sumbua said.

Dr Alex Dramadri, the In-charge of Midigo Health Centre IV, said the facility only conducted six deliveries, and only two were baby boys.

Dramadri revealed that all the mothers delivered normally.

"The babies and their mothers are all healthy. We thank God for that," he said.

Gatrude Driwaru, a midwife at Lodonga Health Centre IV, said they managed to deliver eight babies, four boys and four girls.

She said all the babies were delivered normally.

Nine born at Yumbe Health Centre IV

At Yumbe Health Centre IV, Nadia Ayikoru, a midwife on duty, said they delivered a total of nine babies. She stated that, out of the babies born, five were girls, while the other four were boys.

What mothers said

Kasifa Maliko, one of the mothers who delivered on Christmas Day, praised God for the gift.

She said it has been her prayer and dream to deliver on Christmas Day.

"When I came for my first Antenatal visit, the midwife told me that I am likely to deliver on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. I kept on praying for it to happen on Christmas because I wanted my baby to always have happiness on his/her birthday," she said.

Maliko expressed her dream of having her baby girl study to become a nurse in the future.

Nema Tabu, a South Sudanese refugee living in the Bidibidi settlement, is another mother who gave birth on Christmas Day. She welcomed a baby girl and dreams of supporting her daughter to grow up well and pursue her education to become a teacher.

"Back in South Sudan, we lack teachers, and that's why many of our children don't study. If my baby grows up, I want to support her to become a teacher," she said.

Hadija Nakato, who also gave birth on Christmas Day, described the moment as a delightful surprise. She had no idea she would go into labour on that day.

Early in the morning, she began experiencing labour pains and, after arriving at the hospital, she welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. Looking ahead, Hadija hopes her daughter will grow up to become a medical doctor.