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World's Busiest Maternity Ward

In crowded Manila, the capital of the Philippines, Anita Rani follows the lives of three different women and visits a hospital where up to 100 babies are born each day.

The head nurse in Manila's busiest maternity ward estimates that she has delivered 200,000 babies during her career. On a busy day, a hundred babies are born at the Jose Fabella hospital and women in labour lie four or five to a bed. Anita Rani travels to the crazy crowded capital of the Philippines, to see how the countries of the developing world are facing a future with a rapidly growing population by following the lives of three different women. Rosalyn, whose seventh child will have to survive on less than a pound a day. Rose, a middle-class mum who can afford the best care in the world, and Junalyn, on a journey out of the slums to a better life. Amid the drama of new life Anita finds a story of economic growth and hope in Manila. Across the developing world birth rates have plummeted, life expectancy has increased and young vibrant workforces are beginning to compete with the established economies of the West.

50 minutes

Last on

Sun 5 Jan 201415:10GMT

Credits

RoleContributor
DirectorElena Cosentino
ProducerElena Cosentino
Series ProducerSarah Waldron
Executive ProducerSam Bagnall
PresenterAnita Rani

Broadcasts

  • Sat 4 Jan 201409:10GMT
  • Sat 4 Jan 201420:10GMT
  • Sun 5 Jan 201402:10GMT
  • Sun 5 Jan 201415:10GMT