About 100 more babies were born in state hospitals on the first day of the year across the Eastern Cape, compared to last year.This year saw a total of 267 babies born on January 1 in the province, compared to the 147 babies born on the same day last year.
That was seven fewer than the 154 babies born the year before, after a an increase of 66 more babies born on the first day of the year in 2013.
Health MEC Pumza Dyantyi, who visited the mums and newborn babies bearing gifts at Bhisho Hospital on Friday, said it was refreshing to have rejoiced with the new mothers on New Year’s Day after a “very depressing” season of initiation-related deaths.
“During the recent initiation season, we have been grieving initiate deaths – the highest number of 48 during my time as MEC – and that has been very strenuous because, despite having started from the beginning of the year with awareness campaigns, initiates continue to die due to dehydration,” she said.
“The New Year’s babies, however, always restore a sense of hope for the new year. Although babies are born every day, this day is special and causes a lot of excitement among us.
“This year there was a close call between the boys and girls, but like every year, girls dominated at 139 while the boys remained at 125.”
Dyantyi said she also used the opportunity to talk to the new mothers about registering their children with the Department of Home Affairs within 30 days of birth.
“It becomes easier when parents have named their children earlier, then the registration process happens faster and the children get their identity numbers sooner.”
The majority of children born in the province are from the OR Tambo District Municipality where 75 babies – 39 girls and 36 boys – were born.
The district also boasts one of the highest number of infants born just after midnight.
Dyantyi said her administration had decided to visit Bhisho Hospital – although only three infants had been born there on New Year’s day, – to spread the cheer and hand over gifts.
“Usually we visit Frere and Cecilia Makiwane, which are among the biggest hospitals in the province, but we decided to shift our focus to Bhisho hospital so they don’t feel neglected,” she said.
The three unemployed mothers at Bhisho Hospital said they were surprised by Dyantyi’s unexpected visit. Mother of six, Jozelle Barnes, 26, said she was unprepared for the birth of her child and had requested her family to bring something.
“I became emotional when I saw the little booties, shirts, teddy bear and blankets, all of which were meant for my new boy.”
Funeka Datini, 37, gave birth to her fifth child, a daughter, minutes after the Daily Dispatch arrived.
“What a way to start the year! To give birth on this day is wonderful, but to also be among the people the MEC has visited is a blessing.
“As an unemployed mom, I appreciate anything that can help my situation,” she said.
Aviwe Mathole, who gave birth to her second child Azosandisa, a baby girl, said she had brought a few items when she went to hospital, “but now thanks to the MEC I’ll have more”.
“Having my second child on the first day of the year means I have really started a new chapter in a new year, on a clean slate.”
Dyantyi also visited another baby who was delivered at home in Dimbaza, but was later rushed to a clinic.
New Year’s stork delivers 100 more babies
This year saw a total of 267 babies born on January 1 in the province, compared to the 147 babies born on the same day last year.
That was seven fewer than the 154 babies born the year before, after a an increase of 66 more babies born on the first day of the year in 2013.
Health MEC Pumza Dyantyi, who visited the mums and newborn babies bearing gifts at Bhisho Hospital on Friday, said it was refreshing to have rejoiced with the new mothers on New Year’s Day after a “very depressing” season of initiation-related deaths.
“During the recent initiation season, we have been grieving initiate deaths – the highest number of 48 during my time as MEC – and that has been very strenuous because, despite having started from the beginning of the year with awareness campaigns, initiates continue to die due to dehydration,” she said.
“The New Year’s babies, however, always restore a sense of hope for the new year. Although babies are born every day, this day is special and causes a lot of excitement among us.
“This year there was a close call between the boys and girls, but like every year, girls dominated at 139 while the boys remained at 125.”
Dyantyi said she also used the opportunity to talk to the new mothers about registering their children with the Department of Home Affairs within 30 days of birth.
“It becomes easier when parents have named their children earlier, then the registration process happens faster and the children get their identity numbers sooner.”
The majority of children born in the province are from the OR Tambo District Municipality where 75 babies – 39 girls and 36 boys – were born.
The district also boasts one of the highest number of infants born just after midnight.
Dyantyi said her administration had decided to visit Bhisho Hospital – although only three infants had been born there on New Year’s day, – to spread the cheer and hand over gifts.
“Usually we visit Frere and Cecilia Makiwane, which are among the biggest hospitals in the province, but we decided to shift our focus to Bhisho hospital so they don’t feel neglected,” she said.
The three unemployed mothers at Bhisho Hospital said they were surprised by Dyantyi’s unexpected visit. Mother of six, Jozelle Barnes, 26, said she was unprepared for the birth of her child and had requested her family to bring something.
“I became emotional when I saw the little booties, shirts, teddy bear and blankets, all of which were meant for my new boy.”
Funeka Datini, 37, gave birth to her fifth child, a daughter, minutes after the Daily Dispatch arrived.
“What a way to start the year! To give birth on this day is wonderful, but to also be among the people the MEC has visited is a blessing.
“As an unemployed mom, I appreciate anything that can help my situation,” she said.
Aviwe Mathole, who gave birth to her second child Azosandisa, a baby girl, said she had brought a few items when she went to hospital, “but now thanks to the MEC I’ll have more”.
“Having my second child on the first day of the year means I have really started a new chapter in a new year, on a clean slate.”
Dyantyi also visited another baby who was delivered at home in Dimbaza, but was later rushed to a clinic.
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