Accra, Feb. 15, GNA - Zain Ghana, at the weekend distributed 630 hampers to newly born babies and deprived nursing mothers in 12 governmen= t hospitals nation-wide.

This is under the company's initiative called "Zain Beautiful Hearts= " on Valentine's Day that focuses on extending care and thoughtfulness to babies born on February 13 and 14, 2010.

Ms. Carmen Bruce-Annan, Corporate Communications Manager of Zain Gha= na, who led the Accra group, said the company believed that nursing mothers ought to be reminded of the significance of giving birth on Saint Valentine's Day, a day people expressed their true spirit of love.

She said the contents of the hampers included baby products - baby powder, diaper rash care products, toys, hair care and bathing products, cot sheets and other items which would give the new babies and their nursing mothers a comfortable start in the wonderful world.

Ms. Bruce-Annan said: "The initiative of giving out to babies and th= eir nursing mothers is to assist deprived nursing mothers likely to face financial challenges in caring for their babies after they leave the hospital. "The Beautiful Hearts campaign also reflects the Zain value of 'Belonging' which welcomes these new babies and nursing mothers to become=

part of the fellowship and community spirit that knows no territorial boundaries and 'Radiance' by bringing joy, colour and richness to the liv= es of the new mothers." Ms. Bruce-Annan said the company was committed to contributing to th= e country's development by supporting the health sector with the refurbishm= ent of the Child Protection Unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in 2009.

She said as part of the Zain Beautiful Hearts project employees, including senior management, formed regional teams to distribute hampers to nursing mothers in the maternity wards of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, La Polyclinic, Tema General Hospital and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KAT= H) in Kumasi.

Others who benefited were Agogo Hospital, Effia Nkwanta Hospital, Ca= pe Coast General Hospital, Ho Government Hospital, Koforidua General Hospita= l, Tamale Regional Hospital, Sunyani General Hospital and Wa General Hospita= l. Mrs. Georgina Nortey, Principal Nursing Officer of the La General Hospital, who welcomed the delegation from Zain, said 10 new babies were born between the period of 13 and 14 February of which six were females while four were males.

She said the hampers would motivate the nursing mothers to regularly=

attend post and ante-natal checks. Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 for love and affection. It was named after a Christian martyr named Valentine and establishe= d by Pope Gelasius in 496 AD.