In a truly astonishing development that has captivated hearts and sparked widespread discussion, a 76-year-old woman from Mekelle, the capital of Ethiopia's northern Tigray regional state, has given birth to a baby boy for the very first time. Embeyte Medhin Hagos, also known as Medhin Barka, has defied conventional expectations, making headlines with a story that many in her region are hailing as nothing short of a miracle.
This incredible news unfolds against a backdrop of immense hardship and profound challenges in the Tigray region. Since November 2020, the area has endured a devastating conflict, with parts of its territory remaining under occupation and facing ongoing political tensions and internal conflicts. This period has tragically seen an estimated one million civilians killed, millions internally displaced, and tens of thousands forced to seek refuge in neighboring countries. For a region that has experienced years dominated by reports of war, ethnic cleansing, gang rape, and instability, the birth of a new life under such circumstances carries profound symbolic weight.
Social media platforms are abuzz with discussions, particularly questioning how a woman of 76 years could have conceived. Embeyte Medhin herself shed light on the scientific marvel behind her conception, explaining to the YouTube channel Seglelet Show that it was made possible through in vitro fertilization (IVF). She underwent the procedure at a hospital in India approximately a year ago, with the delivery of her healthy baby boy taking place at a hospital in Mekelle. The new mother admitted her own initial disbelief, telling Dimtse Woyane television, "I was not convinced at all when I was told I had conceived." Even family members found it difficult to grasp, with one young man remarking, “nothing is impossible to the Holy Saviour.” Many online have drawn poignant comparisons to the biblical narrative of Sarah giving birth to Isaac at the age of 90, further cementing the perception of a miracle.
