This, in comparison to 16 in the same timeframe last year. 

The health department spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, says that the first newborn baby in the province was a boy, delivered at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein at five minutes past midnight. He adds that he was followed by a girl who was born seven minutes later at the same hospital. 

In Welkom, the first newborn baby is a boy who was delivered at 00:30 at Bongani Hospital.

Meanwhile, over 130 babies were born on Christmas day in North West. The provincial health department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane says at least 133 babies were born in various towns including Potchefstroom and Mafikeng. 

The departmental MEC, Madoda Sambatha, says the birth of healthy babies was because of attendance of antenatal clinics by these new mothers. The province also had a birth of twins who were born at the Potchefstroom Hospital. Of the babies born 68 are boys and 65 are girls. Sambatha congratulated the mothers and wished good health for their babies.

Of the 27 Christmas newborns in the Free State, the Mangaung district had 12, with six from Pelonomi hospital; two from MUCPP clinic; one from National hospital - all situated in Bloemfontein. Then, there were two from Botshabelo, and one from Dr JS Moroka hospital in Thaba-Nchu.

The Metsimaholo District, which includes Sasolburg, had one birth at Fezi Ngubeni Hospital.

Lejweleputswa District which includes Welkom, had one birth at Bongani Hospital.

In Thabo Mofutsanyana district, the Senorita Ntlabuti hospital in Ladybrand, had one birth.

In Fezile Dabi district, Parys had one birth, and Tokollo hospital in Heilbron also had one birth bringing.

In Thabo Mofutsanyane District, the Phumelela hospital in Vrede had one birth, while Tebang clinic in Qwaqwa had two and Dihlabeng hospital had one.  

This is according to information available 12:38 on 25 December.

OFM News