Ethiopia greets the 7th billionth baby

The 29 year old Eyerusalem Kebede from Saris area gave birth to a baby boy Monday around 3 AM and this baby happened to be one of the 7^th billion babies all over the world. Eyerusalem and her husband Netsanet Taye named the baby Yeabsira, literally means the work of God. A prize was awarded to the first baby born at Ghandi Hospital on 31^st of October as a gesture of recognition. The parents say they were delighted about the whole recognition ceremony and they were surprised.

The coordinator of the Campaign was the United Nations population fund UNFPA Ethiopia office. UNFPA Ethiopia country representative Benoit Kalasa (PhD) says the whole purpose of the 7 billion campaign and the recognition of the baby is to encourage people and governments do their best to provide the 7^th billion and other babies proper education, health and social services, among others.

UNFPA has been undertaking the campaign together with various partners aiming to highlight the challenges, opportunities and actions that will shape the future in the context of the world population reaching 7 billion on October 31^st. Representatives from the ministry of health, UN agencies and partners were at the ceremony. Similar programs have also been done in Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Southern nations, and Tigray regions.(AFRO FM)