Nearly 400 babies were born at public health facilities across Gauteng on New Year’s Day, marking a joyful start to 2026 for families across the province.

According to the Gauteng Department of Health, a total of 396 babies were delivered on January 1, with an equal number of male and female births recorded across public institutions.

Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visited Leratong Hospital in the West Rand on New Year’s Day, where she joined postpartum mothers in celebrating the arrival of their newborns and handed over gift hampers as part of the department’s annual tradition.

Across the province’s four academic hospitals — Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital — 79 births were recorded.

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Tertiary facilities, including Tembisa Hospital and Kalafong Hospital, reported 42 births, while regional and district hospitals such as Jubilee Hospital and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital collectively recorded 204 births.

Community healthcare centres (CHCs), including Hillbrow CHC, Mofolo CHC and Laudium CHC, recorded a further 71 births.

The department also reflected on Christmas Day, when MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko visited Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital to welcome newborns and present hampers to mothers. On December 25, public health facilities recorded 428 births — 206 boys and 222 girls.