As the country transitioned from 2023 to 2024, a total of 253 children were born at various public health facilities across the province according to the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, of which 146 girls and 107 boys were born on New Year’s Day.
As the country transitioned from 2023 to 2024, a total of 253 children were born at various public health facilities across the province according to the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, of which 146 girls and 107 boys were born on New Year’s Day.
According to the provincial department of health, the first child, (a boy), was born at Mowbray Maternity Hospital at 00:00, weighing 4 060g to mother Mantombi Ndabezimbi.
The second baby (a girl) was born at the Khayelitsha District Hospital at 00:15,weighing 2 960g, to mother Sanelise Maku.
The third baby, also a boy, was born at Worcester Hospital at 00:24, weighing 1 695g to mother, Caroline Hanekom.
The department said it was also happy to welcome three sets of twins born at Grabouw Community Health Centre, Tygerberg Hospital and Paarl Hospital respectively.
“With 1 January signalling the beginning of a new year, we as the Department of Health and Wellness are truly blessed to be entrusted with the delivery of these young ones.
“As the parents begin this new chapter of their lives, we encourage them to take note of the importance and impact the first thousand days have on a child’s life.
“In the next few years, we implore that children are given nutritious diets, that they are kept current with their immunisations, and that they enjoy a healthy and safe living environment.
“As minister, I wish everyone a Happy New Year,” says Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo.
The department said they look forward to being a part of their development journey and thanked all the staff, including midwives, for their hard work and dedication.