Johannesburg – By midday on Christmas Day, Gauteng welcomed the birth of 184 babies.

Gauteng’s MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, shared her warm wishes with the parents of newborns delivered at public health facilities across the province on this memorable day.

The department noted, “As of noon on December 25, 2024, we have recorded a total of 184 newborn babies.”

On Christmas Day, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko, together with Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza and Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, visited Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital.

During the visit, the officials distributed gifts to the joyful mothers of the newborns, celebrating the arrival of their little ones into the world.

“Congratulations to all the families,” MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko stated.

She also urged parents to ensure their newborns receive vaccinations on the scheduled dates indicated in the road to health booklet to safeguard them against diseases like polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis, measles, and meningitis.

“All vaccines are provided free of charge at public clinics and community healthcare centers in the province.”

Deputy Minister Nzuza encouraged new mothers to register their babies with the Department of Home Affairs right after birth at offices situated within all Gauteng public hospitals.

“The registration in the national population register starts with birth registration; without this step, children cannot fully access services,” Deputy Minister Nzuza clarified.

“In collaboration with the Department of Health nationally, we’ve simplified the process for parents to register their children by establishing Home Affairs offices within healthcare facilities,”

At Tembisa Hospital, the first baby born on Christmas Day was a girl, arriving just 12 minutes after midnight to 38-year-old Zandile Mqumba.

By noontime, Tembisa Hospital had welcomed a total of 16 newborns.

Mqumba expressed her appreciation for the gifts received by her and the other mothers and was grateful for the convenience of registering her child and obtaining a birth certificate instantly.

MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko also officially reopened the newly updated 60-bed Tembisa Hospital’s Female Medical Ward 12, improving facilities with extra oxygen and suction points, enhanced ventilation, and an upgraded nurse call system.

She emphasized that these enhancements demonstrate the department’s commitment to upgrading healthcare infrastructure while focusing on patient comfort and safety.