‘I’m very happy’: Hong Kong public hospitals welcome first 4 babies of 2024, with parents set to receive HK$20,000 subsidy
- First baby was born in Queen Mary Hospital at 12.05am, followed by a baby boy at 12.32am in Princess Margaret Hospital
- Parents of baby girl born at 1.36am say they hope their first child will enjoy good health and happiness as she grows up
Hong Kong public hospitals welcomed four newborn babies in the early hours of the first day of 2024, with their parents set to receive a one-time government subsidy of HK$20,000 (US$2,561).
The first baby of the New Year, a girl, was born in Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam at 12.05am, followed by a baby boy at 12.32am in Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung and another girl at 12.36am in Queen Mary Hospital.
The fourth baby, a girl weighing 2.86kg (6.3lbs), was born in Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin at 1.36am to the Yip family.
“I’m very happy,” said the 31-year-old father, who works in transport engineering. “It was rather surprising for our baby to be born on January 1.”
The mother, a 29-year-old accountant, said the expected delivery date was originally Christmas Eve, but the baby remained in her womb for an additional week before a doctor started the labour induction procedure on Sunday.
The parents, both Hongkongers, said they hoped their first child would enjoy good health and happiness as she grew up.