The first baby to be born in Mpumalanga on Christmas Day was at Tonga Hospital at 00:07, weighing in at 2 440g, stated the Mpumalanga Department of Health.

Altogether 161 (78 males and 83 females) babies were born in the province, 17 of which in Ehlanzeni hospitals.

Mpumalanga health MEC Sasekani Manzini visited Middleburg Hospital to celebrate the birth of the Christmas babies with the mothers and midwives.

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“We are also proud to announce there was no stillborns reported so far, and this is because we have been doing well in the reduction of the maternal and child mortality rate, maternal and women’s health trends, child health, primary healthcare utilisation and hospital efficiency, and this really shows we are heading in the right direction, making sure our people continue to receive desirable healthcare services,” said Manzini.