BHISHO – A total of 221 babies were born on Christmas Day in public health facilities in the Eastern Cape with the first eager bundle of joy arriving at 12.03am at Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, in Mdantsane.
Fewer Christmas babies were born this year compared to last year when 240 were born in the province on December 25.
Of the babies, 114 are boys while 107 are girls.
Eastern Cape MEC for Department of Health Nomakhosazana Meth visited All Saints Hospital in Ngcobo on December 25, where she distributed care packs for the bundles of joy.
She also distributed gifts to babies born before Christmas Day who were still in hospital.
The MEC welcomed the new babies.
“We congratulate the new mothers on successfully delivering their new bundles of joy. Children are a gift and blessing.”
“We are also grateful to the team of doctors, midwives and nurses and other healthcare workers who ensured the babies were delivered safely,” Meth.
In addition MEC Meth also raised concerns that there were 37 teenage girls aged between 15-19 who gave birth on Christmas Day.
“Working with the relevant stakeholders and departments, we will continue to educate children about the dangers of unprotected sex.”
“We are calling on children to abstain or use condoms and age appropriate contraceptives if they are sexually active so as to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted illnesses, “she said.
