Cape Town – At least 500 babies were born on Christmas Day in South Africa this year, the Department of Health announced on Sunday.
The majority of the bundles of joy were born in Gauteng, where hospitals in the province delivered a total of 223 babies.
According to The Citizen, in 2021, Gauteng welcomed 403 newborns into the world.
MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo–Ralehoko visited Bertha Gxowa Hospital in the province to celebrate with the babies’ parents, as well as gift them with presents.
“The department wishes to extend its appreciation to healthcare workers who have been working tirelessly throughout the year ensuring that the people of Gauteng receive the best service when visiting health facilities.
#ChristmasBabies Over 500 babies were born in South Africa between midnight and midday on 25 December. In Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the earliest childbirths were recorded at exactly 00:00. The majority of the newborns are in Gauteng. The youngest mothers are 15. @TheSAnews pic.twitter.com/4j7NdkkTL4
— Storm (@storm___simpson) December 25, 2022
“Thank you for always making Christmas time cheerful and filled with love to mothers and their newborns. We wish all parents well and encourage mothers to opt for breastfeeding their babies as it is essential and has many health benefits for their babies,” the report quoted Nkomo-Ralehoko as saying.
Among the first provinces to welcome the new babies were Limpopo and Mpumalanga, where the new arrivals were born around midnight at Voortrekker Hospital in Mokopane, and Temba Hospital in Kabokweni, outside Mbombela.
The Eastern Cape’s first baby was born at 00:01 at Sipetu Hospital in Mount Frere, while the Free State had a birth at the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein at 00:04., the report said.
Meanwhile, According to Times Live, The department of health announced that two 15-year-olds who gave birth at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, in Umlazi outside Durban in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), and at Tonga Hospital in Mpumalanga, were among the youngest mothers.
A total of 47 babies — 24 boys and 23 girls — were welcomed in KZN.
Over 500 babies were born across the country between midnight and midday on Christmas day. The majority of the bundles of joy were delivered in Gauteng. Director of births and deaths statistics at Stats South Africa, Dr Mosidi Nhlapo has more
Watch: https://t.co/zHJbNQLvp3 pic.twitter.com/Zbj80vNx2X
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 26, 2022
KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu said they were concerned about young mothers who gave birth as there had also been two 17-year-olds who also gave birth at Mosvold Hospital under the Umkhanyakude district, City Press reported.
“We also have three 18-year-old mothers who delivered at St Apollinaris, Ladysmith and Estcourt hospitals. When we look at these cases what becomes glaring is that these girls had sex when they were about a year younger and underage.
“We want to emphasise that this is unacceptable because conceiving at such a young age can also be very dangerous for both mother and child,” the report quoted Simelane-Zulu as saying.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
