New Year’s Day brings 144 new lives into Gauteng

Altogether 17 babies were born in community healthcare centres, 78 in regional and district hospitals and 49 babies in academic and tertiary hospitals in Gauteng.

Of the 144, 80 were girls and 61 were boys, the provincial department said. They are still awaiting the confirmation of the sexes of three babies. Gauteng health MEC Dr Gwen Ramokgopa said by 7am yesterday 91 healthy babies had been born.

“The most babies were born, 11, at Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto,” she said. She was speaking at Bertha Gxowa Hospital in Germiston where three boys and one girl were born, one of them prematurely. “It was wonderful to talk to the mothers and to hear how they feel.

“They were happy and only one was a first-time mother.”

She said they were looking out for signs of postnatal depression in public hospitals so affected mothers could get the necessary treatment.

“I really wish these babies well. The first six months is very important for bonding and early childhood development is also very critical. “The first few days and first few years are critical for these babies to become future engineers, doctors, police officers and, who knows, perhaps going to space will be as easy as getting an Uber,” Ramokgopa said