One of the nation's historic sextuplets was breathing on his own yesterday and was taken out of the incubator.

On Monday, a 28-year-old Central woman became the mother of six babies, after a Caesarian operation was performed by a team of doctors at Mt Hope Women's Hospital.

Chairman of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) Dr Shehenaz Mohammed told the Express yesterday by phone that the other five babies were still incubated and on ventilator support.

All babies, she said, were being closely monitored around the clock at the hospital's Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit.

"They are all okay, one has been removed from his incubator, the other five are still on ventilator support, but they are stable," said Mohammed.

Asked whether there was a lot of crying on Monday night, with some nine babies in the Neo-Natal Unit–the sextuplets plus three other single births–Mohammed said there actually was not and the babies all had a peaceful night.

The mother, Mohammed said, was also doing well and was stable after spending 24 hours in the resuscitation room.

She said the mother was warded and resting comfortably.

The sextuplets, because of their premature birth, will be hospitalised for a few months at Mt Hope, where a number of tests will be done. They were due on March 15.

The Express understands the mother received fertility treatment.

Asked whether the hospital's day-to-day operations have in any way been hampered, Mohammed responded: "There have been no hiccups so far. The daily operation is running smoothly; all mothers and babies are being taken care of with the same level of care as the sextuplets and their mother."

Mohammed again issued thanks to the medical team involved in the birth of the sextuplets.

She said history was created because of Dr Bharath Bassaw, Dr Hemant Persad, Dr Afraz Ali--the three surgeons–and a large team of midwives and nurses who made it possible.

Mohammed added that Persad, a consultant, was given operating privileges by the NCRHA to assist in the surgery as the patient had seen him previously before being admitted to the hospital.

She added that Persad did not charge for his services.

Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan praised Mohammed and the Mt Hope team.

"I am very glad that everything was a success, I want to commend the chairman and Dr Bassaw and his team and the hospital for a job well done," said Khan.