Gauteng Welcomes New Year’s Day Babies with Joyous Celebrations -

Johannesburg – On New Year’s Day, Gauteng’s public healthcare facilities celebrated the arrival of 203 newborns – 105 boys and 98 girls – between midnight and noon.

The Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, paid a visit to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto to welcome the infants born on this special day.

During her visit, the MEC presented gift packages filled with essential items to the new mothers.

As reported by the health department, academic hospitals registered 31 of the deliveries, predominantly from Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, which saw 20 births. Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Steve Biko Academic Hospital each contributed four births.

In total, 12 babies were born in tertiary hospitals.

Tembisa Hospital and Kalafong Hospital each recorded six deliveries.

The department continues to stress the importance of registering the births of newborns with the Department of Home Affairs, which has offices conveniently located within health facilities across the province.

Mothers are also encouraged to prioritize immunization and exclusive breastfeeding to ensure their infants’ healthy development.

“As we rejoice in the arrival of new life, it is important to highlight the critical role that immunization and exclusive breastfeeding play in safeguarding the health of infants,” stated MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.

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

“Additionally, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is essential as it provides vital nutrients and strengthens their immune systems.”

Furthermore, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko officially launched a newly expanded 12-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which has been refurbished and outfitted with state-of-the-art technology to deliver high-quality care to newborns needing specialized treatment.

The NICU expansion is part of the department’s infrastructure program aimed at enhancing all neonatal units to reduce overcrowding and minimize the risk of cross-infection.