217 Christmas babies and counting in Gauteng

As the sun begins to set on Christmas Day 2025, Gauteng health officials have managed to safely deliver 217 babies so far. 

MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has celebrated the safe delivery of the babies, wishing their mothers a merry Christmas.

On Thursday morning she visited the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital in Vosloorus to gift some of the new mums with gift packs including blankets, wipes, nappies, creams and feeding supplies.

She urged the new mothers to prioritise breastfeeding to ensure the babies grow up healthy.

The MEC also reminded mothers that the Department of Health is readily available with information for new mums who need guidance on feeding techniques and general care for newborns.

She stressed that it is important for mothers to get the Road to Health booklet and ensure children are immunised.

"One other thing that we're doing as a department is to ensure that we strengthen our primary health care services, because we've realised that if we don't go down to the clinics and the district and regional hospitals, it's going to become very difficult for us to cap some of the problems that we're encountering during this festive season.” She added.