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Cornwall Regional welcomes Jamaica 50 babies

Published:Saturday | August 11, 2012 | 12:00 AM
The first Jamaica 50 Independence babies born at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay with their moms, friends of the hospital, and staff members. The mothers are (from left) Camillea Reid and her daughter, Dominique Gooden; Georgia Anderson and baby Indiana Anderson; Marcia Clarke and Jordan; Kammiel Palmer and Casay-Ann McKalla. - Photo by Richard Morais

Richard Morais, Gleaner Writer

MONTEGO BAY, St James:

As Jamaica ushered in its 50th year of Independence, there was jubilation at Cornwall Regional Hospital, where 'Independence babies' were born August 6.

The first four newborns at the facility on Independence Day 2012 were Indiana Anderson, who arrived at 4 a.m.; followed by Jordan Campbell, who was delivered four minutes later; then Casay-Ann McKalla at 6:10 a.m.; and Dominique Gordon at 6:30 a.m.

The special occasion was marked by the Ministry of Health and the Friends of the Cornwall Regional Hospital, which presented gift baskets to the mother of each baby.

"We always try to make things for staff and patients a little more pleasant, and because of this landmark in the history of the nation, we decided to this," said Maize Minott.

Apart from items for the newborns, a Bible and a mug with the birth date and the Independence logo painted on the mug were also presented to each mom.

Minott said that while the other items in the package would be consumed, the cup and the Bible would remain for posterity.

The handover was observed by hospital staff members, including Dr K. Lyttle, Sister E. Brown-Mairs, registered nurses, and midwives Jacqueline Fletcher, Mettolin Fuller, and Sharon Allen.