Johannesburg – At least 192 babies had been born by midday at public health facilities in Gauteng on New Year’s Day.
The Gauteng Department of Health revealed that across public hospitals and community health centres in the province, 90 of the babies born by noon were boys, and 106 were girls.
Two sets of twins were among the babies born by midday on Thursday, 1 January 2026.
The department stated that four academic hospitals delivered a total of 38 babies, while tertiary hospitals accounted for 22 births.
Additionally, regional and district hospitals combined delivered 100 babies, and community health centres contributed 36 deliveries.
Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visited Leratong Hospital on Thursday morning to celebrate and shower the newborns with gift hampers.
She was joined by the founders of Future4Baby NPO, who donated preloved baby items to the hospital.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko said the donated items will assist in caring for abandoned children in hospitals.
She highlighted the critical need for community support in addressing this issue.
During her visit, MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko expressed satisfaction with the quality of care, observing that it is encouraging to see mothers with medical aids choosing public facilities for delivery.
She emphasised that this reflects the trust in the public health system to effectively serve the residents.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko also spoke about the need for society to join hands in tackling the issue of teenage pregnancy.
She indicated that the department has intensified efforts to bring key stakeholders on board, including the religious community, to confront this pressing concern.
“Working with religious leaders and sister departments of Education and Social Development, we will continue doing our part to educate learners about teenage pregnancy,” said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko.
“In the coming weeks, we will be visiting schools across the province as part of a back-to-school campaign to provide learners with sexual education and address other related issues affecting them.”
Furthermore, postpartum mothers were urged to ensure that their babies are registered with the Department of Home Affairs to access basic services.
The MEC also highlighted the critical importance of following immunization schedules to protect all babies from preventable diseases.
