NC records the lowest number of New Year’s Day deliveries
The MEC for the Department of Health Maruping Lekwene welcomed twins that were born at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital on New Year’s Day. Picture Northern Cape Deparmtent of Health
Out of the 1 448 babies that were born at public health facilities throughout the country on New Year’s Day, 37 bundles of joy were delivered in the Northern Cape.
The MEC for the Northern Cape Department of Health Maruping Lekwene visited mothers and their newborns at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe hospital in Kimberley on January 1.
Lekwene encouraged mothers to ensure that their babies were up to date with their immunisations to prevent childhood diseases.
This is while Gauteng recorded the highest number of births at 387 followed by 219 in the Eastern Cape, 191 in Limpopo, 185 in KwaZulu Natal, 154 in Mpumalanga, 101 in the Western Cape, 89 in the North West and 85 in the Free State on New Year’s Day.
Spokesperson for the national Department of Health Foster Mohale stated that there was a decrease in the number of births compared to 1703 deliveries that were recorded last year this time.
“Though the number of teen mothers has also decreased from 190 recorded last year to just over 80 recorded this year, the department calls upon all sectors of society, especially families to join hands with government and other non-governmental organisations to address the scourge of teenage pregnancy.”
He indicated that teenage pregnancies often led to irregular school attendance and poor academic performance.
“The school dropout rate is high especially for mothers who lack family support structures to take care of the babies when the they need to attend school.”
Mohale added that the Department of Health was working together with the Departments of Social Development and Basic Education to support all mothers through existing programmes to ensure that their babies survived and thrived.
