First born for the New Year is a baby girl named, ‘Chosen’

While much of Belize was easing into the first evening of 2026, a new life made a special entrance into the world. Just after six o’clock on New Year’s Day, Chosen was born at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, becoming Belize’s first baby of the year. A moment filled with joy, hope, and national significance. We now join Kevin Avilez for the story in detail.

Kevin Avilez, Love News: Her name is Chosen, a healthy 7 pound and 4 ounce baby girl who is the first and only child born at the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital for the New Year. Chosen was delivered at 2:03pm on New Year’s Day to 27 year old Belize City resident Cliffara Ramos. Speaking with love news from her hospital room, Ramos described the birth as a blessing and shared why welcoming chosen on New Year’s Day was the meaning for her family.

Cliffara Ramos, Mother of Chosen: “I was nervous, but I’m just happy that my baby came out healthy, strong, and we’re both okay with the grace of God. Well, from ever since even if it was a boy or a girl I said my baby’s name would have been Chosen. I just love the name because I had always believed that I would have children. She was actually due the 5th of January which is my niece’s birthday. Thirteen years ago when we got the second girl in our family. Well I’m happy. I can’t even explain. I just, this is everything I wanted. She right here.”

Kevin Avilez, Love News: Dr. Mikael Gilhari, the medical officer on call for the new year’s birth, gave us his account on the delivery of baby Chosen, breaking down what happened moments before her birth. 

Dr. Mikael Gilharry, Medical Officer: “Well, Ms. Clifara Ramos was a patient that came in around 6 a.m. yesterday. 27 years old, she’s a primihesta, which means it’s her first pregnancy. She was received already dilated at three centimeters. She was reevaluated during rounds by Dr. Nicholas and then we realized she was already at four centimeters. So we transferred her over to the labor and delivery department, where she was constantly monitored and around 10 a.m., she was already at six centimeters however, she didn’t dilate further than that. By 12, we realized that she wasn’t having any more dilations. However, her pains were intense so we contacted Dr. Nicholas like around 1 p.m., so we decided to take her in for an emergency c section due to failure to progress and she delivered at 2:03pm a healthy female neonate 7 pounds 4 ounces and there were no complications with the surgery. Both mom and baby are fine.”

Kevin Avilez, Love News: Ramos also praised the professionalism and care shown by the medical staff at the KHMH, noting that her experience exceeded expectations. 

Cliffara Ramos, Mother of Chosen: “Every worker, doctor and nurses that dealt with me was so sweet. Like I literally can’t complain. I’m someone who is shy and nervous with everything but they made me feel comfortable knowing my sister or nobody was in with my during surgery and some parts of the room or whatever. But I felt comfortable with all of them.”

Kevin Avilez, Love News: And as a part of a long-standing New Year tradition, the first baby born at KHMH was also recognized with gifts. Santiago Castillo Limited, through the SanCas brand, presented a care package to the newborn and her mother. Marketing manager Aisha Trapp said that the package includes self-care items for the mother, adding that this year’s presentation is especially meaningful as the company marks its 100-year milestone. 

Aisha Trapp, Marketing Manager, San Cas Limited: “We continue to do it because this is what we do as a great corporate company and of course given back to our community that has served us, I mean, 100 years it’s not easy. So we’re giving today what we usually do stuff for the baby and the mom, Huggies, Cortex or quality brands, Seven C’s of course, Ovaltine. We stick with the guidelines that the hospital of course goes with. We do not give any milk brands to the mom nor the baby. We are committed for the first hundred days of the baby’s life to give her a case of diaper and wipes. So that is the special offer that we’re going to give to the baby and this is just a really, really special one this year because it’s only one for KHMH.”
Kevin Avilez, Love News: By this time, baby Choo-Zin and her mother have been discharged and Choo-Zin is spending her first night with her new family. We would like to say congratulations to Cliffara Ramos and her family as well as to all the mothers welcoming a new life across Belize in the new year.