Gauteng rings in the New Year with 196 bundles of Joy

Gauteng’s public healthcare began the year on a positive note, delivering 196 babies across provincial facilities on New Year’s Day.

The newborns included 90 boys and 106 girls, with two sets of twins adding to the celebrations.

Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko marked the occasion with a visit to Leratong hospital, where she engaged with new mothers and frontline health workers.

The MEC highlighted improved trust in public healthcare and the role of community support in ensuring safer births, while also raising concern about persistently high rates of teenage pregnancy.

She encouraged mothers to promptly register their babies with the department of home affairs and to follow all immunisation schedules to safeguard infant health.

"In two weeks’, time, we'll be hitting the ground running - going to the schools, talking about teenage pregnancy on what must be done as parents at home first, and as the society…working with the religious leaders," said Nkomo-Ralehoko.

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