While many sat under the Christmas tree unwrapping presents, several moms-to-be spent Christmas Day in the maternity ward enduring the pains of labour to receive their most precious gifts, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness confirmed that public health facilities throughout the Western Cape welcomed a total of 172 babies on Christmas Day 2024.
Of the 172 newborns, 93 of them were boys, and 79 were girls.
According to the statement, the first three Christmas babies were born between midnight and 00:11am. The first newborn baby to arrive was a girl, weighing 2.94kg. She was born at Hermanus Hospital to mom, Siphe Masiki.
The second baby, also a girl and weighing 3.26kg, was born at 00:10am at Paarl Hospital to mom Aletar Mubhida. The third was a baby boy, weighing 3.43kg, born to mother Zabeedah Abdeen at 00:11am at Mowbray Maternity Hospital.
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‘I want to extend my warmest congratulations to the families welcoming their precious little ones into the world. To the new mothers, I wish you all the love, health and happiness as you embark on this incredible journey of motherhood,’ said Minister Mireille Wenger.
‘May your baby’s arrival bring even more joy and light to your hearts. We celebrate not only the miracle of life but the hope and happiness that these new beginnings bring to our communities.’
Minister Wenger also extended her gratitude to the many healthcare workers and staff who have been working during the festive season.
‘Your dedication and continued efforts have ensured that patients continue to experience the quality care that we strive for every day in the Western Cape,’ she added. ‘We remain grateful for all that you do.’
In its statement, the Health and Wellness Department said it believes that the first thousand days of a child’s life, from conception, is critical for their development.
‘The physical, social and brain development that takes place during this time is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a solid foundation for health, learning and good relationships in the future,’ the statement read.
‘This is an important time to support your child’s development through adequate nutrition, immunisations, and by reading to your child.’
Meanwhile, Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza reiterated the department’s ambitious plan to digitise birth registrations across South Africa during his visit to Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng on Christmas Day.
According to Nzuza, the initiative aims to convert over 350 million paper records into digital formats by 2025/26.
He added that digitalisation will streamline the process, saying that ‘very soon, [the department is] going to eliminate paper’.
The largest archives of these vital records are housed in Gauteng, North West and the Western Cape as part of the department’s broader efforts to modernise and preserve critical documents.
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Firefighters spread Christmas cheer to children in care homes
Picture: Seif Eddin Khayat / Unsplash
