A 32-year-old woman (name withheld) from Chirombo village in the area of Traditional Authority Chekucheku in Neno District has reportedly given birth to a stone weighing 250grams at Matandani Mission Hospital yesterday.

The Hospital's In-charge James Wayile Phiri has confirmed the development to Zodiak today, Wednesday, saying the woman was admitted to the facility yesterday with abdominal pains before giving birth to a real stone using her birth canal.

"She came here some two months ago for pregnancy test and the results were negative. She then came again yesterday (Tuesday) with her husband but she was in pains and had blood drops coming from her private part which we suspected she was on involuntary abortion," said Phiri.

The In-charge further said that after further tests were made, they opted for clinical abortion where she delivered the stone and she was thereafter cleaned as it happens with any other woman who has delivered a baby.

Phiri said the woman has since been referred to Neno District Hospital for further attention, describing the incident as unusual in medical history.

He said "we have never seen anything like this before at this facility and we have sent both the patient and the stone to Neno District Hospital for observation and tests on the stone."

The incident, according to Phiri, attracted a crowd of people including Chiefs, who came to the hospital to witness the odd occurrence.

When contacted for a comment on the matter, Neno District Hospital Medical officer Dr. Albert Chafunya expressed ignorance to the matter but the hospital's publicist Caroline Banda while not confirming nor denying having such a patient at their facility, asked for more time to investigate the matter before divulging more information.

Matandani Mission Hospital belongs to the Seventh Day Adventist Church to complement governments efforts in quality health delivery.