In a joyous start to the new year, Gauteng’s public healthcare facilities witnessed the arrival of 112 babies on 1 January 2024, between midnight and 9:30, comprising 59 males and 53 females.
Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, the Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, marked the occasion by visiting Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Pretoria North. There, she extended congratulations to the proud parents and distributed gifts to celebrate the births.
It is important that we further encourage the mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding of their babies for the first six (6) months, as breast milk contains all nutritional substances and antibodies babies need to grow and protect them from illnesses. They must also follow the Road to Health booklet and ensure that their little ones are immunized at regular ages to protect them against diseases such as polio, hepatitis, measles, and meningitis, emphasized MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Academic hospitals played a significant role in this baby boom, with Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital leading the count with 9 deliveries, followed by Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital contributing 5 newborns.
Tertiary hospitals also contributed to the joyous occasion, with Tembisa Hospital welcoming 6 babies, and Kalafong Hospital adding 4 more to the growing list.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko stressed adherence to the Road to Health booklet and timely immunizations to shield the infants against potential diseases like polio, hepatitis, measles, and meningitis.
The celebrations marked a promising start to the year, emphasizing the importance of maternal and child health in the region.
