Far East Hospital in Springs recorded 18 births between 00:00 and 23:59 on January 1.

According to the Gauteng Department of Health, nine boys and nine girls were born, placing the hospital among the top four for the highest number of births in the province’s regional and district hospitals.

The department’s MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, visited Leratong Hospital in Mogale City on New Year’s Day to see the newborns and their mothers.

She expressed satisfaction with the quality of care, noting that it is encouraging to see mothers with medical aids choosing public facilities for delivery.

She said this reflects the public’s trust in the health system to serve residents effectively.

Nkomo-Ralehoko also highlighted the need for society to unite in addressing teenage pregnancy, stating that the department has intensified efforts to involve key stakeholders, including religious communities, in confronting this pressing concern.

“Working with religious leaders and sister departments of Education and Social Development, we will continue our efforts to educate learners about teenage pregnancy. In the coming weeks, we will visit schools across the province as part of a back-to-school campaign to provide learners with sexual education and address other related issues affecting them,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.

The department has urged postpartum mothers to register their babies with the Department of Home Affairs to access basic services.

Nkomo-Ralehoko also emphasised the critical importance of following immunisation schedules to protect all babies from preventable diseases.