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Five out of 6 managed to get out of the hospital in good health
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By Our Reporter
Mbarara – Holy Innocents Children's Hospital in Mbarara has today, Thursday, June 5, 2025, discharged five of the sextuplets born on Good Friday, April 17, 2025, after seven weeks of specialized neonatal care.
The babies, now stable and healthy, were released to the care of their mother following their first vaccination and 24 hours of close monitoring.
Sextuplets were taken to church for dedication
Dr. Stephen Businge, the hospital's CEO and lead pediatrician, confirmed the milestone, expressing both joy and sorrow. "It is sad that we lost one of the babies, but we are grateful to have discharged five in good health," he said.
The sextuplets—five boys and one girl—were delivered prematurely via cesarean section at Neo Care Fertility Centre in Mbarara City, just seven months into the pregnancy. They were immediately transferred to Holy Innocents Children's Hospital for specialized care. Sadly, one baby passed away shortly after birth, but the remaining five have survived and shown significant progress.
Dr. Businge noted that the mother, Glorious Betonde, has undergone extensive training on how to care for the babies at home. He urged the family to maintain regular medical follow-ups and to always consult professional healthcare workers.
"We expect the best from the parents, and we strongly advise against seeking help from unqualified sources," he emphasized.
During a thanksgiving Mass held at the hospital on June 5, 2025, attended by hospital staff and the couple, Fr. Musinguzi Ronald, the hospital chaplain, praised the family for their spiritual strength. He also urged the community to embrace unity, saying,
"Unity creates an unbreakable bond. The Eucharistic Prayer in our Catholic tradition emphasizes this deeply."
An emotional Glorious Betonde, a resident of Nyamufumura Ward, Sheema Central Division in Sheema Municipality, expressed her gratitude.
"I never believed I would go home with these babies who were born so tiny. I can't thank the hospital team enough," she said.
Despite her joy, Glorious acknowledged the challenges ahead.
"We live in a single rented room in Mbarara, which makes it extremely hard to care for all the babies. I pray for God's guidance and call upon well-wishers to support us, especially in helping us build a bigger home for the children," she appealed.
Tumwesigye Vicent, the father of the children, revealed that their landlord issued a demand notice for rent arrears.
"The landlord has been demanding three months' rent. Recently, he called and said he had left the demand notice with a neighbor and warned that if I didn't pay, we had to vacate. I had no money to clear the arrears, so we decided to shift to Makenke in Mbarara City," he explained.
In support of the family, Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among donated UGX 5 million, delivered by Dicksons Kateshumbwa, the Member of Parliament for Sheema Municipality, during a visit to the hospital on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
The Speaker commended Glorious for her resilience and courage in bringing six beautiful lives into the world and promised continued support.
"This contribution is a gesture of solidarity and love. We recognize the blessing and responsibility that comes with raising sextuplets, and we are here to support the family," Kateshumbwa stated.
Glorious thanked the Speaker for the generous donation, describing it as timely and life-saving.
"This support came at the right time. It will go a long way in helping us take care of the babies," she said.
Orishaba Prisillar, a nurse at the hospital, stressed the need for continued specialized care at home.
"Caring for premature sextuplets is delicate. Ideally, they need proper space and supportive environments, including well-ventilated rooms to aid their breathing and development," she explained.
Torch Media Africa
