While many nationwide celebrated the birth of this great nation, the Port Moresby General Hospital Labour Ward delivered a total of 35 health babies. Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist & Acting Coordinator for the division Dr. Robert Johns said, apart from the usual busy days experienced at the ward, it was a quiet independence day for his team. He said, they received a total of 30 admissions and 5 extra deliveries where from the previous day. “Our load for yesterday, independence blessings, were all okay at birth and none were sent to the special nursery care. And of the 35 deliveries, 2 mothers needed operative delivery and had a cesarean.” Dr. Johns also mentioned that they did not have any maternal deaths or any newborn deaths and was considered to be a very blissful day at the hospital. He said, even though the labour ward has a total of 24 beds, some mothers who went first were sent to the post-natal ward to free up space for incoming deliveries. “We don’t have enough beds, and sometimes, mothers require longer stays up to 24 hours on the bed due to complications or their labours may be pro-longed which takes up bed space, but we try our best to help our mothers deliver safely and get them moved. “Others come in, deliver and get moved to the post-natal ward after 3 hours, which is good because that helps us to clear the bed for another mother to come in and deliver.” Dr. Johns further stated that all the staff were in good spirits and all deliveries went well. The Labour Ward also had enough medical supplies for that day. Meanwhile, the heaviest baby delivered during independence was a baby girl weighing 4.3kg.