A total of 149 babies were born at public health facilities throughout the Western Cape on New Year's Day.
According to the Western Cape Health Department, 67 boys and 82 girls were born in hospitals in the province.
The first boy was born as the clock struck midnight to Zahraah Abrahams at Mowbray Maternity Hospital. He weighed 3.3kg and measured 51cm.
Sister Gillian Hendricks, midwife at Mowbray Maternity Hospital, with mom Zahraah Abrahams who gave birth to the first baby born this New Year’s Day. Picture supplied
Baby number two, also a boy, was born 13 minutes later to Noluyeye Plati at the Paarl Hospital, and the third baby, a girl was born at 12.16am to Mellody Bhulawa at Worcester Community Day Centre.
Provincial Health Department spokesperson Natalie Watlington said Paarl Hospital was the busiest since midnight yesterday with seven births reported thus far, “followed by six births each at Kraaifontein Community Health Centre and Mowbray Maternity Hospital”.
The Khayelitsha District Hospital welcomed its first New Year baby just after 3am on Wednesday. The baby was born to Nontuthuzelo Mlungwana.
Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo visited Khayelitsha District Hospital on Wednesday to welcome the baby and encouraged new mothers to breastfeed their babies for the first two years.
Western Cape Minister of Health Dr Nomafrench Mbombo welcomed the first New Year's baby at Khayelitsha District Hospital. Picture Courtney Africa/African News Agency(ANA)
“I would like to congratulate all new parents on the birth of their babies on this New Year’s Day. We wish them the very best with new additions to their families,” Mbombo said.
“We continue to emphasise that the first 1 000 days of a child’s life
is very important. Provide them with
a safe environment and good nutrition.”
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said these babies were born at an exciting time when they have introduced an important piece of legislature in
the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill.
Mkhize said the NHI would propel the children into a future where they and their parents would
enjoy high-quality health services free at the point of care for the rest their lives.
“We want the children to be attended at clinics and hospitals with good infrastructure, adequate staff and medicine, and good administrative processes,” Mkhize said.
Mom, Nonthuthulezo Mlungwana and Daughter, Baby Mlungwana at Khayelitsha District Hospital. Picture Courtney Africa/African News Agency(ANA)
Watlington said the department congratulated all the parents on the safe delivery of all the new arrivals on the New Year’s Day.
“We also extend a sincere thank you to all our staff members, including midwives, for their hard work and
dedication on this special day,”
she said.