MBARARA
At seven weeks old, five of the sextuplets born on Good Friday 18th April, have been discharged from Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital. The hospital’s CEO and pediatrician, Dr. Stephen Businge, expressed both joy and sorrow over the milestone, acknowledging the loss of one baby while celebrating the recovery of the remaining five.
“We are pleased to see the babies well enough to go home after careful monitoring following their first vaccination,” said Dr. Businge. He extended his gratitude to family friends of parents Glorious Betonde and Vincent Tumwesigye who have supported the couple throughout their hospital stay.
Dr. Businge emphasized that the mother has been trained on newborn care at home and urged the parents to adhere to routine follow-up visits. He encouraged them to consult medical professionals whenever a baby is unwell instead of seeking advice from unqualified sources.
During the weekly Mass at the Holy Innocents Chapel to prepare and pray for the family’s departure, Fr. Musinguzi welcomed them and expressed appreciation for their participation in mass with the hospital community. He emphasized the importance of unity, describing it as an unbreakable bond. He referenced prayers in the Catholic Church that highlight unity, citing the Eucharistic prayer as an example.
Reflecting on the experience, mother Glorious Betonde expressed deep gratitude to the hospital team that cared for her babies for nearly two months. “I never believed I would go home with these tiny babies,” she shared. “I can’t thank you enough.”
Despite the joy of returning home, Betonde acknowledged the challenges ahead in raising multiple infants. She prayed for God’s guidance and appealed to well-wishers for support in providing for the babies.
