‘Chosen’ Welcomed as Belize’s First Baby of 2026

Belize City’s Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital welcomed the first baby of 2026. Baby Chosen arrived just after 2 p.m. on January 1, weighing seven pounds, four ounces. Her mother, 27-year-old Cliffara Ramos, says the birth is extra special, as she is the first girl born in her family in thirteen years.

“I just happy, I mi nervous, but I just happy that my baby come healthy, strong, and we both okay. By the grace of God,” Ramos said.

When asked about the name, she explained, “From ever since, even if da mi wah boy or a girl, I say my baby name mi ah be chosen. I just love the name. I mi always believe that I mi wah have kids.”

Ramos says her pregnancy went smoothly, and she praised the hospital staff for their care.

“KHMH, I mi always think they say ih bad or whatever, but every worker, doctor and nurses that deal with me was so sweet. Like I literally can’t complain,” she said.

Ramos arrived at the hospital early in the morning already in labour. When progress slowed, doctors performed an emergency C-section.

“By twelve we realized that she wasn’t having any more dilations. However, her pains were intense. So we contacted Dr. Nicholas… and she delivered at 2:03 a healthy female neonate, seven pounds, four ounces. And there were no complications with the surgery. Both mom and baby are fine,” said Dr. Mikael Gilharry.

Tradition continues as Santiago Castillo Limited gifts diapers and wipes to the first babies born each year.

“We are committed for the first hundred days of the baby’s life to give her case of diaper and wipes,” said Aisha Trapp, marketing manager at Santiago Castillo Ltd. “This is a really special one this year because it’s only one for KHMH. We will also find out if there was a first baby that was born in the rest of the public hospitals around the country, and we will gift them the case of diaper and wipes.”

Though she was due a few days later, Baby Chosen was the only baby born at KHMH on New Year’s Day.