By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko is expected to welcome the new babies born in the new year.
Ralehoko is expected to join postpartum mothers in welcoming their newly born bundles of joy at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa on Monday.
Her department said in statement said, the MEC will present the mothers with gift hampers.
“She will also use the moment to engage parents about the importance of ensuring that their babies are registered immediately after birth at the Department of Home Affairs offices across all Gauteng public hospitals as well as ensuring that they follow the Road to Health booklet and get their little ones immunised for free in all public clinics.”
According to the Department, at least 194 babies were born in the province on Christmas Day.
The newborn babies were delivered at various health facilities across the province between the stroke of midnight and midday.
The provincial department confirmed that regional and district hospitals delivered most births at 81.
This was followed by community healthcare centres, which recorded the births of 49 babies.
Academic hospitals came in third with the delivery of 41 babies.
Meanwhile the department has raised concerns over the increasing rate of suicide attempts across the province.
By 10pm on Sunday, Gauteng Emergency Services had responded to over 1,500 incidents – most of which were suicide attempts.
The number of suicide attempts on New Year’s Eve alone was higher than what the department usually records, while stabbing and shooting incidents were also high on the list.