A number of moms took to Facebook to voice their concerns about not being able to receive birth certificates at the Department of Home Affairs during lockdown.

When the national lockdown officially began, the Department of Home Affairs was only permitted to provide limited services, which included issuing temporary identity certificates, death certificates and re-issuing birth certificates.

However, for the time being, a newborn can only be registered at the hospital where the parents can obtain a confirmation of birth.

According to Diana King, MediClinic Potchefstroom spokesperson, after a mother has given birth, the parents are given documents to fill in. “The documents we hand over to the parents are an application for a birth certificate, the notice of birth and the birth confirmation for registration of birth certificate at Home Affairs or Medical Aid,” she stated. Before the baby is discharged, the hospital provides a copy of the birth confirmation document.

Landiwe Boqo, a nurse at the maternity ward of Potchefstroom Hospital says they also issue a proof of birth document to the mother when they are discharged.

She added that the parents are also required to fill in their personal details, especially their address and contact details, that the hospital keeps for record. “We do this for control and for statstics,” she said.

This document obtained can be used to register a newborn baby into a medical aid scheme. This depends on the newborn registration processes offered.

In an article by News24, Karren Sanderson, chief operating officer of Discovery Health stated that the Medical Scheme has made amendments to their newborn registration processes until the 30th of April, however the date might be extended.

Siya Qoza, spokesperson for the Minister of Department of Home Affairs says that the Department is still discussing what services will be offered once the country transitions to level 4. “We are still reviewing which additional services to offer and how they will be offered, while adhering to the preventative measures, like social distancing. The changes will be announced sometime this week,” he said.

Under normal circumstances, after a baby is born, the parents have 30 days to register a baby at the Department. However, Qoza reassures parents that for babies born within the lockdown period, specific arrangements for the registrations will be made.