Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla congratulates mothers of 1703 babies born on the first day of the year 2024 in public health facilities across the country and urges fathers and family members to support mothers to raise children because it takes a village to raise a child.
The first 2024 bundles of joy were born exactly at midnight (00:00) in health facilities in Limpopo (Philadelphia Hospital and Seshego Hospital), Western Cape (Mowbray Maternity Hospital) and North West (Mafikeng Provincial Hospital) respectively.
The country has also recorded at least 190 teenage mothers on the New Year`s Day as compared to slightly over 145 recorded on Christmas Day, and the youngest mothers being the 14-year-olds from KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape provinces. Teen pregnancy is a societal problem which requires all hands on deck because some teenage mothers are likely to face critical social issues like poverty and poor education outcomes with potential to contribute to poor health issues and child welfare.
The Department of Health, in collaboration with sister departments like Social Development, Basic Education and other stakeholders including Higher Health, Love Life and Soul City will intensify sexual and reproductive health awareness campaign countrywide targeting both school-going and out of school youth to empower them with health education and the dangers of early sexual debut, unprotected sex, and other risky sexual behaviours apart from teenage pregnancy.
A breakdown of Newborn babies delivered on New Year’s Day
|
Province |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
|
Gauteng |
200 |
212 |
412 |
|
Limpopo |
100 |
99 |
199 |
|
Mpumalanga |
90 |
66 |
156 |
|
North-West |
55 |
57 |
112 |
|
Free State |
27 |
41 |
68 |
|
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
120 |
140 |
260 |
|
Western Cape |
107 |
146 |
253 |
|
Eastern Cape |
96 |
104 |
200 |
|
Northen Cape |
26 |
17 |
43 |
|
SA Total |
821 |
882 |
1703 |
Mothers and caregivers are reminded that a good environment in the first 1000 days of a child`s life which includes loving care and a nurturing, safe space free from stress and harmful substances are important for children`s optimal growth and development.
Mothers living with HIV can safely breastfeed their babies the same way as mothers without HIV, as long as they consistently adhere to treatment.
For more information and media enquiries, please contact:
Mr Foster Mohale
Departmental Spokesperson National Health Department
Cell: 0724323792
E-mail: Foster.mohale@health.gov.za
Mr Doctor Tshwale
Media Liaison Officer for Health Minister National Health Department
Cell: 063 657 8487
E-mail: Doctor.tshwale@health.gov.za
