Christmas Day babies Gauteng

Over 220 babies were born in Gauteng public hospitals on Christmas Day. Image: Adobe Stock

Christmas Day babies: Over 220 bundles of joy born in Gauteng

The figures will be updated midday on Monday, however Tertiary Hospitals in Gauteng were leading the way with Christmas Day babies.

Christmas Day babies Gauteng

Over 220 babies were born in Gauteng public hospitals on Christmas Day. Image: Adobe Stock

The Gauteng Department of Health has confirmed that public healthcare facilities delivered 223 babies on Christmas Day, 25 December. 

The babies were delivered between 00:00 and 12:00 on the 25th of December 2022.

GAUTENG WELCOMES CHRISTMAS BABIES 

Many parents across the province could not contain their joy as they welcomed their bundles of joy on a very special day celebrated by many across the world. 

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo–Ralehoko visited Bertha Gxowa Hospital to welcome the newly-born babies, and celebrate with their parents, as well as present them with gifts. 

The facility saw the delivery of two set of twins by two mothers. Nkomo – Ralehoko thanked health care workers 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,” Nkomo-Ralehoko said. 

The MEC also urged parents of the newly-born babies to register births early, through Department of Home Affairs offices available at health facilities across the province.

Christmas Day babies Gauteng
A mother with one of the babies born on Christmas Day at Kalafong Hospital in Tshwane receiving a gift. Image via Twitter/@kalafong_health.

Academic hospitals delivered 30 babies with Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital accounting for 12 deliveries, followed Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital with 08 deliveries.

Tertiary Hospitals delivered a total of 31 babies with Tembisa Hospital delivering 23 and Kalafong with 8 deliveries. 

The MEC further urged parents to get their little ones immunised in order to protect them against infectious diseases. Immunisation is free and available at all government clinics and Community Healthcare Centres. 

The department said it will update the above numbers on Monday, 26 December 2022 which will be inclusive of all 24-hour clinics as is the practice.

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