Gauteng rang in 2026 with a powerful symbol of hope as nearly 200 babies were born in public health facilities across the province by midday on New Year’s Day, underscoring renewed confidence in the state healthcare system.
The Gauteng Department of Health confirmed that 196 newborns had been delivered by noon on 1 January 2026, including 90 boys, 106 girls and two sets of twins. Births were recorded across academic, tertiary, regional, district hospitals and community health centres, reflecting a system operating at full strength from the first hours of the year
Academic hospitals accounted for 38 deliveries, tertiary hospitals recorded 22 births, while regional and district hospitals delivered 100 babies. Community health centres contributed a further 36 newborns, highlighting the critical role played by primary healthcare facilities in the province
Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visited Leratong Hospital on New Year’s morning, where she congratulated new mothers and presented gift hampers to newborns. She was joined by the founders of Future4Baby NPO, who donated pre-loved baby items to support hospitals caring for abandoned infants.
The MEC said it was particularly encouraging to see mothers with medical aid opting to deliver at public facilities, describing this as a strong vote of confidence in the quality of care provided by the provincial health system.
She also used the visit to renew calls for collective action against teenage pregnancy, confirming that the department has intensified collaboration with religious leaders and the Departments of Education and Social Development. Schools across Gauteng will be visited in the coming weeks as part of the back-to-school campaign focusing on sexual education and learner wellbeing.
Mothers were further urged to ensure that newborns are registered with the Department of Home Affairs and that immunisation schedules are strictly followed to protect babies from preventable diseases.
The Gauteng Department of Health said a final tally of New Year’s Day births, including data from all 24-hour clinics, will be released on Friday, 2 January 2026
— Gauteng News Online
