WASHINGTON, 25 July — A Saudi mother who gave birth to the world’s new septuplets was released on Monday from Georgetown University Hospital here, the hospital said in a statement.
The septuplets are still in critical condition, and one is still on a ventilator, hospital spokeswoman Paula Faria said. The babies will remain in intensive care for at least six or seven weeks, the hospital said.
The five boys and two girls, the world’s third recorded case of live septuplets, were born July 12, some 11 weeks premature. The mother’s name has not been disclosed. Their father is Fahd Qahtani, a Saudi high school teacher studying for a master’s degree at George Washington University.
“It is a beautiful day to be able to escort my wife out of the hospital today after such a long road we have traveled. She is looking forward to continuing her recovery and relaxation. We are delighted that our family can once again be together,” Qahtani said.
Crown Prince Abdallah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, has issued directives to concerned officials to pay the hospital bills of the mother and her children.
Nail Al-Jubair of the Saudi Embassy in Washington said the Saudi government pays medical bills of students on government scholarships or Saudi government employees abroad. (AN)
