Christmas Day was a double celebration for 69 families across Eswatini as they welcomed newborns.
In a spirit of festivity, Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula, extended heartfelt wishes to the families and their little ones, calling it a “double dose of joy.”
“I would like to wish all the babies born on Christmas Day, a wonderful birthday and a magical Christmas. It is a double dose of joy for the parents,” said Matsebula during a visit to health facilities.
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Matsebula lauded Her Majesty the Queen Mother for giving gifts to the Christmas babies. He said, “Sibong’ iNdlovu yemhlaba for the special gifts for the Christmas babies. Nkhosi! Ndlovuzazi! Mhlekazi!”
The Minister was accompanied by members of the Senior Management Team when he visited Mankayane Government Hospital and Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital to distribute gifts from Her Majesty Indlovukazi to the Christmas babies.
The gifts were received with smiles and gratitude by parents and healthcare staff.
The Ministry of Health reported that a total of 69 babies were born across Eswatini between midnight and 11:59 p.m on Christmas Day.
The highest numbers were recorded at Mbabane Government Hospital with 14 births which consisted of eight girls and six boys, followed closely by RFM Hospital and Hlathikulu Government Hospital, each welcoming 12 newborns.
Other facilities also saw a steady number of births, including Good Shepherd Hospital with seven, Piggs Peak Government Hospital with eight, and Nhlangano Health Centre with five.
Minister Mduduzi Matsebula expressed his gratitude to healthcare workers who spent Christmas ensuring safe deliveries and caring for mothers and their babies.
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“Special thanks also go to all workers working today, especially healthcare givers. Merry Christmas, and may the almighty God richly bless you,” he said.
Summary table of babies born on Christmas Day
|
Name of Facility |
Females |
Males |
Total Number of babies |
|
8 |
6 |
14 |
|
8 |
4 |
12 |
|
5 |
7 |
12 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
4 |
7 |
|
2 |
6 |
8 |
|
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
1 (EPH) |
1 (WCH) |
2 |
TOTAL |
31 |
38 |
69 |