George welcomes five babies on Christmas day

GEORGE NEWS - Altogether five healthy babies were welcomed in George on Christmas day.

The first to arrive was a little boy of 3.45kg born at 08:24 to mother Shu-Allen Maarman at George Regional Hospital. Two more boys and a girl were also delivered at the hospital.

At 13:15 Franciena Blaauw gave birth to a boy weighing 3.11kg, at 15:30 a girl of 2.66kg was born to Anelisiwe Pavuleni, and at 16:49 Andricia Smith gave birth to a little boy weighing 3.11kg.

At Mediclinic George, a lovely little girl, Nawara Buys, came into the world at 09:11 to the delight of her parents, Naizel Buys and Rudie October, from Touwsranten. Nawara weighed 2,91kg at birth.

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness confirmed that 80 boys and 91 girls were born on Christmas day at public health facilities in the province. The first three arrived between 00:00 and 00:18. The first baby girl, who weighed 3.5kg, was born at 00:00 at Helderberg Hospital. Four seconds later, the second baby girl arrived at Khayelitsha District Hospital and at 00:18 another girl was delivered at Worcester Hospital.

Two sets of twins were also born at Tygerberg Hospital, the one set being a boy and girl and the other set two girls.

The provincial minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, said, “We look forward to being a part of their development journey.

“We believe that the first 1 000 days of a child’s life, from conception, are critical for their development. The physical, social, and brain development that occurs during this time presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to establish a solid foundation for health, learning, and positive relationships in the future. This is an important time to support your child’s development through adequate nutrition, immunisations, and by reading to your child.”

She thanked the staff for their hard work and dedication on Christmas Day, away from their own loved ones, to tirelessly care for others.

“Welcoming new life at Christmas is a profound blessing, a reminder of hope and renewal during this season of joy.”

Franciena Blaauw with her little boy. Photo supplied