The Gauteng Department of Health has recorded 196 babies born this New Year’s Day across public hospitals and community health centres in the province.
Among this figure, 90 were boys and 106 were girls, including 2 sets of twins. The four academic hospitals delivered a total of 38 babies, while tertiary hospitals accounted for 22 births.
Additionally, regional and district hospitals combined delivered 100 babies and community health centres (CHCs) contributed 36 deliveries. MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko visited Leratong Hospital this morning to celebrate and shower the newborns with gift hampers.
She was joined by the founders of Future4Baby NPO, who donated pre-loved baby items to the hospital. The MEC stressed that these items will assist in caring for abandoned children in hospitals, highlighting the critical need for community support in addressing this issue.
During her visit, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko expressed satisfaction with the quality of care, observing that it is encouraging to see mothers with medical aids choosing public facilities for delivery.
She emphasised that this reflects the trust in the public health system to effectively serve the residents. The MEC also spoke about the need for society to join hands in tackling the issue of teenage pregnancy, indicating that the Department has intensified efforts to bring key stakeholders on board including the religious community, to confront this pressing concern.
“Working with religious leaders and sister departments of Education and Social Development, we will continue doing our part to educate learners about teenage pregnancy. In the coming weeks, we will be visiting schools across the province as part of back-to-school campaign, to provide learners with sexual education and address other related issues affecting them”, said Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC, Nomantu NkomoRalehoko.
Furthermore, postpartum mothers were urged to ensure that their babies are registered with the Department of Home Affairs to access basic services. The MEC also highlighted the critical importance of following immunization schedules to protect all babies from preventable diseases.
DID YOU KNOW?
Public complaints and compliments must be send directly to: patientscomplaint.health@gauteng.gov.za or send SMS to 35023 or call 24-hour customer line on 0800 203 886.
