Gauteng Welcomes the New Year’s Day Babies

Johannesburg – On the first day of the new year, Gauteng’s public healthcare facilities celebrated the arrival of 203 newborns, comprising 105 boys and 98 girls, from midnight to noon.

The Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, visited Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto to meet with the newborns delivered that day.

During her visit, the MEC provided new mothers with gift packages containing essential items for their babies.

The health department reports that academic hospitals were responsible for 31 of the deliveries, mainly from Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, which recorded 20 births. Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Steve Biko Academic Hospital each had four births.

Additionally, 12 babies were born at tertiary hospitals.

Tembisa Hospital and Kalafong Hospital each had six deliveries.

The department continues to stress the importance of mothers registering their newborns’ births with the Department of Home Affairs, which operates offices within healthcare facilities throughout the province.

Mothers are also encouraged to prioritize immunization and exclusive breastfeeding to foster their infants’ healthy growth.

“As we celebrate new beginnings, it is vital to emphasize the critical roles of immunization and exclusive breastfeeding in safeguarding infant health,” stated MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.

“Parents must prioritize immunization to protect their children from preventable diseases.

“Similarly, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is essential, supplying crucial nutrients and