15 babies were abandoned at Thelle Mogoerane Hospital in Voslo alone

Hundreds of babies have been abandoned at Gauteng hospitals over the past year disclosed the Gauteng Health Department.

In addition a further 56 babies were abandoned between January and August this year alone.

The tragedy of abandoned babies is increasing at an alarming rate in Gauteng with Thelle Mogoerane Hospital being the worst affected.

There were 15 babies abandoned at this hospital last year, which raises concerns over socio-economic issues affecting the mothers.

In a statement shared by DA Gauteng Shadown MEC for Health, Jack Bloom, the babies were abandoned in the streets, open velds and dustbins and then taken to the public hospitals once found.

Bloom says the surge in abandoned babies is a clear indication that preventative measures need to be taken.

This will include better contraceptive rollouts, especially to teenagers in township communities,

Apart from Thelle Mogoerane Hospital, the following hospitals noted significant numbers of abandoned babies:

• Tembisa Hospital – 13
• Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital – 12
• Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital – 12
• Leratong Hospital – 11
• George Mukhari Hospital – 10
• Far East Rand Hospital – 7
• Sebokeng – 7
• Edenvale Hospital – 6
• Mamelodi Hospital – 5

Reasons the babies were abandoned included:

• Babies born from broken relationships
• Deliberate furnishing of wrong identifying details by migrant mothers due to fear of deportation
• Babies born disabled, so mothers abandon them
• Unplanned pregnancies
• Poor support system, fear of rejection by partner or family
• Teenagers conceal their pregnancies to avoid social stigmatisation
• Sex workers with repeat deliveries
• Admitted substance abuse mothers give birth then abandon babies because they need a quick fix

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