When Elina Tavusoro began to experience labour pains on June 1, she and her soon-to-be-husband, Peni Sokia, moved their wedding date to welcome their first baby into the world.

Initially, a church wedding was to take place on June 2 followed by a traditional ceremony the next day but instead they welcomed their bundle of joy.

On June 3, the couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at Ba Hospital, a first for the Aspen Hospital managed facility.

They aptly named her Laisiana Aspen Nasiga.

Baby Laisiana was also baptized on the same date.

Aspen Hospital spokesperson said: “We would like to congratulate both Peni and Elina on their marriage in our post-natal ward at Ba Hospital last Friday and congratulate them on the birth of their baby girl who they have fittingly named Laisiana Aspen Nasiga.”

“Aspen Medical wholeheartedly thanks the family for appreciating our services and naming their baby after us.”

“This is the second baby that has been named after Aspen Medical and we are very proud of our connection with our community.”

Mr Sokia of Tukuraki Village in Ba thanked God for His protection because his wife was going through a difficult pregnancy.

Baby Laisiana Aspen Nasiga.

“I want to thank God for his protection and provision,” he said.

“We are grateful for the service provided to us by the hospital which was why we named our daughter Laisiana Aspen Nasiga.”

“I’m happy about the birth of my daughter and I will try my best to look after her, mold her to be a good member of society and a good
child in the future.”

“I want to thank the villagers of Tukuraki, Lenakula landowning group, family members who supported us, the Vanua Tabanivono and Turaga Natalecake.”

The couple met back in 2014 as primary school students. They were brought together through a youth rally and their fondness for each other grew from there.

In 2020 they eloped on the eve that Mr Sokia’s father, a church worker, was supposed to be posted to another village.

Ms Tavusoro said she was thankful for her bundle of joy and her safe delivery despite the challenges she faced with her husband.
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