Staff at public health facilities across the Western Cape
were kept on their toes on Christmas day as they welcomed 63 newborns.
According to a report by the provincial health department,
42 of these babies were born in the Cape Town metro and 21 babies were born in
the rural districts.
The baby boys out-did the girls, with health officials
recording 38 boys followed by 25 girls.
Department
spokesperson Monique Johnstone says multiple births were reported at Bishop
Lavis and Macassar Community Health Centres (CHCs).
“The first set of twins were boys, born at Bishop Lavis CHC
at 04:05 and 04:45, and the second set were girls, born at Macassar CHC at
00:24 on Christmas morning. Mowbray Maternity Hospital delivered the most
Christmas babies, where 22 babies – 11 boys and 11 girls – were
welcomed.”
The first baby was born at midnight at Retreat Community
Health Centre. The baby girl was born weighing 3.2kg and 51cm in length, while
another baby girl was also born at 00:03 at Mowbray Maternity Hospital weighing
3.1kg and 49cm in length, Johnstone said.
“The Western Cape Government Health congratulates the
parents and staff on the safe delivery of all the new arrivals on Christmas
Day.”
