Mother of triplets appeals for help

RWAMAGANA - Athanasia Niyigena, a resident of Gahengeri Sector, Rwamagana District, who on Thursday delivered triplets, is appealing to well wishers to come to her aid. “We are happy to have the three children, but we are worried because we can’t feed them. My husband and I are too poor…we earn our living by working for others-we don’t even have a house of our own,” said the Niyigena, a first time mother. She delivered at Gahegeri Health Center, before being transferred to Rwamagana Hospital. “We expected one child. God has really put us to test, and unless we get help, we just can’t manage the children. I thus appeal to the government, NGOs, and others for aid.” Just like the parents, the birth was a surprise to the doctors. “It’s a surprise,” said Dr. William Rutagengwa, a general practitioner overseeing the development of babies at Rwamagana Hospital. “The three newborns are in stable condition and they are doing quite well.” According to Dr Rutagengwa, the smallest baby weighed just 1.5 kg, while the biggest weighed 2kg at birth.“We are treating them as premature babies mainly due to their weight…but we expect them to be discharged soon. We are closely monitoring them,” he said.Francoise Ingabire, a midwife, added her voice, calling for well wishers to assist the mother. “You see our work will end as soon as doctors deem them fit to go home. The woman is poor just like the father. So, well wishers can think of helping them,” she said. Ends

National

Mother of triplets appeals for help