MINSK, 5 January (BelTA) – Traditionally, gifts from Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko were presented to families whose children were the first Belarusians born in the new year. At the maternity ward of Minsk City Clinical Hospital No. 6, the mothers were congratulated by Belarusian President’s Press Secretary Natalya Eismont, Healthcare Minister Aleksandr Khodzhayev, and Minsk Mayor Vladimir Kukharev, BelTA has learned.
On 1 January, two boys and two girls were born at the 6th maternity ward. A total of 16 babies were born in the capital: 10 boys and 6 girls.
“We came to extend the warmest words and congratulations on behalf of the president to the mothers who welcomed newborns on the very first day of the new year. This is a cherished tradition. And believe me, for the president there is no greater joy than hearing that in our happy Belarusian families, with such beautiful and joyful mothers, healthy babies are being born,” Natalya Eismont noted.
This year has been declared the Year of the Belarusian Woman. The press secretary expressed confidence that the children born on 1 January will have a bright future. She wished the families well-being, good health, and life under a peaceful sky in a calm country.
The first mother to give birth to a baby girl at Minsk City Clinical Hospital No. 6 was Anastasia Lapanik. The baby is the family’s second child; the parents also have a nine-year-old son Mikhail. “It is impossible not to recall the president’s wish: if there is a third child, then your mission as a mother will be fully complete,” Natalya Eismont remarked with a smile. She also added that the head of state “is deeply committed to seeing families grow larger”.
The young mother thanked everyone for the attention and admitted the event was emotional for her. “We didn't expect the baby to be born on 1 January,” she said. “A cesarean section was performed for medical reasons. A girl was born: 49 cm tall, weighing 2,640 kg. We named her Anna, a beautiful and classic name we love. The conditions are excellent: comfortable wards, attentive staff, both doctors and nurses. The attitude is wonderful. We are looking forward to being discharged soon and going home.”
Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee’s Health Department Yuri Gorbich noted that the birth of a child is a joyful and significant event for families. This New Year's night saw a shift in the capital's trend, with more boys being born than girls. “At the 6th maternity ward, we congratulated a mother who gave birth at 7:39 a.m., and in the same ward another woman delivered at 11:56 p.m. on 1 January. For any maternity hospital, and for medicine in general, 1 January, like any other holiday, is a working day. We are always happy to welcome newborns and provide the necessary assistance,” Yuri Gorbich said.
Deputy Chief Physician for Obstetrics and Gynecology at Minsk City Clinical Hospital No. 6 Irina Boris added that out of the mothers who gave birth on 1 January, two had their first child and one had her third. “The staff always prepares for this occasion in a festive spirit. The maternity ward has many holiday photo zones. We are a third-level perinatal center and can provide all types of care. Two mothers gave birth by cesarean section,” Irina Boris noted.
Photos by Vitaly Pivovarchik/ BelTA
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