SOWETO: Gauteng public healthcare facilities celebrated the birth of 203 babies on New Year’s Day, with 105 boys and 98 girls delivered between midnight and noon. Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, visited Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital to welcome the newborns and distribute essential gift packages on January 1, 2025.
According to South African Government News Agency, academic hospitals were responsible for delivering 31 of these babies, with most births occurring at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, which welcomed 20 newborns. Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Steve Biko Academic Hospital each reported four deliveries. Tertiary hospitals, including Tembisa Hospital and Kalafong Hospital, contributed to the count with six deliveries each.
The Gauteng Department of Health emphasized the importance of registering newborns with the Department of Home Affairs, which has in-house offices at health facilities throughout the province. The department also highlighted the critical role of immunization and exclusive breastfeeding in supporting infant health. The Gauteng MEC underscored the need for parents to prioritize these practices to protect their children from preventable diseases and provide essential nutrients during the first six months of life.
In addition to welcoming the New Year babies, the MEC officially inaugurated the newly expanded 12-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The refurbished unit is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to offer high-quality care to newborns requiring specialized attention. This NICU project is part of the department’s broader infrastructure program aimed at upgrading neonatal units to address overcrowding and reduce the risk of cross-infection.