By OBAKENG MAJE
25 December 2024- The number of babies born on Christmas Day in various healthcare centres across the North West province since 00:00, has been increased to 79. Of these Christmas Day babies, 44 are males and 35 are females.
The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said all mothers are in good condition with no complications reported. Lehari said Bojanala District is the biggest in the province after delivering more babies thus far.
This was followed by Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and Ngaka Modiri Molema District.
Lehari, accompanied by acting Superintendent General, Zenzo Ndabula, acting District Director for Dr Kenneth Kaunda, and other departmental senior managers, have excitedly welcomed Christmas babies. He visited the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital complex today, as part of the celebrations and shared gifts with mothers and their new born babies.
“We are here as part of our drive to support our hardworking nurses and doctors and the general staff, who have sacrificed their family time to be here and secure lives.
“And to top it up, to deliver babies safely. I want to commend the good work done here by these patriotic men and women who diligently serve the general public,” said Lehari.
He further congratulated these proud mothers for delivering bouncing healthy babies, with no complications reported thus far. Lehari added that this is a demonstration that they have capacity.
“We have specialists and people who really know what they are doing. We are proud of this auspicious moment. We will educate these new mothers thoroughly from here on how to care for them before we discharge them.
“I want to say Merry Christmas to them. The more the merrier. Of the new mothers, the youngest is 16 who gave birth to a baby boy at Klerksdorp/Tshepong Tertiary Hospital,” he said.
Lehari said another new and young mother is an 18 year-old, who gave birth at Boitekong Community Healthcare Centre in Bojanala District. He said as numbers continue to trickle in, the final statistics will be released upon collation.
“We will also be on the same drive on New Year’s Day, to give support to all medical personnel, who will be working and also congratulate mothers and welcome additional in the family.
“The department takes this time once again to wish everyone a cheerful and joyful Christmas Day,” said Lehari.
The Guardian 