A bundle of joy for Elizabeth on Christmas day

Eighteen-year-old Elizabeth Inapi from Eboa Village in Mekeo could not hold back her tears when she finally delivered her baby on Christmas Day.

The pain of labour ended when she gave birth to a healthy 3-kilogram boy at 7 a.m. at the Inauaia Sub Health Centre in Mekeo in the Central Province.

The newborn’s first cries awoke the mother, who then realised she had given birth to her first child on Christmas.

Beside Elizabeth’s bedside was Shirley Aisa, who handed over the newborn with relief.

Shirley, a 42 year old mother of five, said she felt satisfied and thrilled to have assisted with another Christmas delivery.

" I was excited to assist in delivering the child at 7 a.m. this morning," said the Mekeo and Chimbu mixed parented community health worker.

"I assisted in delivering 10 babies on Christmas, and this will be my 11th delivery assist this Christmas, 2025."

" I told the mother to name the newborn, Emmanuel, Noel, or Christopher, because in biblical history they were born on Christmas."

Reflecting on Christmas, Shirley said it is the annual calendar of the year that commemorates the birth of Jesus.

"I am humbled by my profession as a community health worker to assist in delivering newborns on Christmas, which is a significant way to pay homage and respect to the birth of Jesus on Christmas," said the 42-year-old mother of five children.

She said helping babies enter the world on Christmas is a meaningful way to honor the birth of Jesus.

The community health worker also extended her congratulations to all newborns delivered across the country on Christmas, celebrating the joy and hope they bring to families and communities.