SidebySide

SidebySide Side-by-Side is an early childhood education campaign led by the National Department of Health. What is Side-by-Side? It starts with breastfeeding.

Side-by-Side is a national Department of Health campaign working to ensure that all children under 5 receive the nurturing care they need to develop to the best of their abilities. It relies on all stakeholders caring for caregivers and pregnant women to work alongside each other. Side-by-Side rests on 5 pillars:

NUTRITION - Good nutrition is important for mothers’ and children’s health. LOVE - Brain development is spurred by responsive care and love, play, and talk. PROTECTION - Children can be protected from childhood disease and injury by getting immunized, and safety in the home. HEALTH CARE - Children need care when they are sick or injured
EXTRA CARE - Some children may need special care or support. Caregivers should know what to do and where to go.

“Together, we can ensure that South Africa’s youngest children receive the care they need to survive and thrive.”

Children with albinism deserve our love and care. 💛What is albinism? Albinism is a rare condition that commonly results ...
12/02/2026

Children with albinism deserve our love and care. 💛

What is albinism?

Albinism is a rare condition that commonly results in the lack of melanin pigment in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to sun exposure.

👶Babies with albinism are at a much higher risk of developing skin cancer. This means we have to do more to ensure they are protected from the sun while not locking them away from playing outside.

🫂Children with albinism may face stigma from others - remind your baby that they are loved, and that they can come to you for a hug or to talk any time.

When caring for children with ablinism, please make sure they are always:

😎Protected from the sun.

🧴You are using sunscreen labelled SPF 20 to 30. Using sunscreens with an SPF higher than 30 offers little benefit, and more concentrated chemicals might be more likely to irritate or cause an allergic rash.

👶🏾If you need more tips and want to join a community of parents who can share and exchange information on how to better care for babies with albinism, please contact: The South African Inherited Disorders Association (SAIDA) on ☎️ 083 399 4353 or The Albinism Society of South Africa on ☎️ 011 838 6529.

11/02/2026

As we observe Reproductive Health Awareness Month, catch up on the Side-By-Side radio programme, where health experts share about the importance of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV).

In this episode, Dr Zuziwe talks about the immunisations a baby has to take at different stages as they grow up. Listen to this episode here: https://omny.fm/shows/side-by-side-season-4/ukhozi-fm-special-episode-cervical-cancer-awareness

To prevent cervical cancer, girls who are nine years and older are encouraged to take the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to sign consent forms so their children can get vaccinated at school.

Vaccinations will be taking place in all public, independent and private schools yearly between February and March and August and September. Without a signed consent forms your girl child will not be able to receive this lifesaving vaccine.

Has your 9-year-old girl taken the HPV shot yet? If not, what was the challenge?

Vaccines save lives. Let’s all work together to make sure every child gets the protection they need. The HPV vaccine is a safe, free, and effective way to prevent cervical cancer later on. We encourage parents and caregivers to sign the consent forms. If you have lost your clinic card or (RtHB) please ask for a new one at the clinic.

Rattles are a great way to help with a baby’s development! 🔵You can use a rattle to help babies with their vision. Slo...
10/02/2026

Rattles are a great way to help with a baby’s development!

🔵You can use a rattle to help babies with their vision. Slowly move the rattle near your child's face, encouraging them to track it with their eyes as it moves. This builds focus and attention.

🔵As they get older and begin to hold rattles themselves, they develop their motor skills. By holding on to the toy they develop their grasp and the muscles in their hands and reaching for it and shaking builds on eye-hand coordination and motor planning.

🔵Rattles can also be very motivating for babies. Putting them slightly out of reach and encouraging the baby to get them can help promote motor milestones such as rolling, crawling, reaching, or even pulling to stand.

🔵So even though rattles might seem incredibly simple, these toys are great for providing a range of experiences for your baby.

How to make a do-it-yourself (DIY) baby rattle toy:

🪀 Rinse out a used plastic bottle. This could be a ketchup bottle, a milk carton, or anything else you find lying around the house.

🪀 Fill a third of the bottle with uncooked rice or small stones. If your bottle is transparent, you can add balls of scrunched-up tin foil for added sensory fun.
🪀Close the bottle tightly so your baby cannot accidentally get anything that is inside the bottle, as they may choke on these.

🪀You're now ready to play!

🪀Keep an eye on your little one at all times during craft activities and playtime.

Remember to keep small and sharp objects out of the baby's reach.

If your little one has visual or hearing impairments, you can get help for them, mama, by getting them assistive devices...
10/02/2026

If your little one has visual or hearing impairments, you can get help for them, mama, by getting them assistive devices like glasses and hearing aids.

Schools also have school-based interventions where such impairments have been identified. It is important that, as parents and caregivers, you sign the consent form to access these interventions.

The South African National Council of the Blind helps with accessing assistive devices. 👓

All you need to do is contact them.

📞You can call them using this number: +27 12 452 3811.
🏢You can also visit their offices for assistance at this address: 514 White Street, Bailey’s Muckleneuk, Pretoria.

☎️For more information on assistive devices and how to access them, send them an email here: helpdesk@sancb.org.za and admin@sancb.org.za 📧. South African National Council for the Blind

For caregivers raising children with visual impairments, this is how you can help your baby:

📚Read aloud to your child. Children love hearing the voices of their parents. 🫂Encourage your child to also use other senses, like touch and hearing, to learn about their environment.
🖼️Describe images to them as you are telling stories. This makes storytelling fun and interesting and keeps them engaged.
🫂Be patient with yourself and seek help when you need it!

Vegetable options for healthy baby meals that cost less than a R100. Nawa amarecipe wokudla okufanele izingane ezineminy...
09/02/2026

Vegetable options for healthy baby meals that cost less than a R100.
Nawa amarecipe wokudla okufanele izingane ezineminyaka engu 1 year ukuyaphezulu.

These food recipes should come in handy when you are doing grocery shopping and wondering what veggie options you should buy to make your baby yummy, scrumptious meals.

Please also remember:

✅When feeding your baby, always sit next to them and encourage them to eat; do not force-feed them.
✅Avoid small, hard food that may cause choking, like peanuts.
✅ Make sure you cut up the food into small pieces so they can eat on their own.
✅Ensure you make food with different textures so your baby can get used to it.
✅Give your baby safe water from a cup.
✅Make sure to give about five (5) small meals throughout the day. A child has a small stomach, so they can’t eat enough to be full for many hours. ✅If your child coughs or vomits after most meals or drinks, or spills most of the food out of their mouth, please take them to your closest clinic to see a speech therapist to check their swallowing

Please share how you prepare some of your baby's favourite meals? Let us know in the comments below.

Today is National Epilepsy Day. 💜.Epilepsy is a chronic non communicable disease of the brain that affects people of all...
09/02/2026

Today is National Epilepsy Day. 💜.Epilepsy is a chronic non communicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages. A seizure happens when there’s a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain, which can cause changes in movement, behaviour, or awareness.

Epilepsy is more common than you might think, and with the right care and support, people with epilepsy can live healthy, fulfilling lives.

These are some of the signs and symptoms we need to look out for:

⚠️ Loss of consciousness or collapse.
⚠️ Sudden jerking or twitching in parts of the body.
⚠️ Episodes of confusion or unresponsiveness.
⚠️ Staring spells that last for a few seconds or longer.

If you notice these signs, it’s important to consult a doctor for proper testing and diagnosis. Having many seizures can cause brain damage, which puts your child at risk for developmental delays and difficulties with learning

This , let’s raise awareness, learn more, and support those living with epilepsy. Together, we can break the stigma and build understanding.

🚨Parents and caregivers, this message is for all of you: 🤱🏾All children must be registered with the Department of Home A...
06/02/2026

🚨Parents and caregivers, this message is for all of you:

🤱🏾All children must be registered with the Department of Home Affairs WITHIN 30 DAYS of being born. ⏰Bhalisa umtwana wakho kungakapheli inyanga ezelwe.

It is important to make sure that your baby has a birth certificate as soon as he or she is born. All babies have a right to a certificate, even if you are not South African.

📘The Road to Health Booklet (RtHB) or clinic card is not proof of identity. Getting a birth certificate for your baby helps you access services and support, such as child support grants.

🤰 Pregnant women are more likely to contract malaria due to reduced immunity. 👂🏾 The recent floods have resulted in an i...
05/02/2026

🤰 Pregnant women are more likely to contract malaria due to reduced immunity.

👂🏾 The recent floods have resulted in an increase in standing water that facilitates the breeding of malaria mosquitoes.

🌊It’s important to keep drains, potholes, and low-lying areas around your home clean and free of standing water. This helps prevent mosquito breeding and reduces the risk of malaria.

🤒If you present with malaria symptoms such as fever, chills and sweating, headaches or body pain, please visit your nearest clinic.

🦟Malaria cannot be treated at home.

👂🏾Pregnant women and mothers, listen up, you are not alone on your pregnancy or parenting journey. All you have to do is...
05/02/2026

👂🏾Pregnant women and mothers, listen up, you are not alone on your pregnancy or parenting journey. All you have to do is register on for support throughout your pregnancy journey.

📄To get tips on what to do during pregnancy and where to access antenatal care, simply dial this number *134*550*2 # on your cellphone or send the word “Join” to the MomConnect WhatsApp line here: 079 631 2456.

To ensure a smooth pregnancy journey, sign up now to receive nutrition tips, infant care advice, and reminders for your clinic check-ups.

🟨 For first-time moms, this is how MomConnect works:
🟨 A nurse confirms pregnancy at a clinic and gives the mom a clinic code.
🟨 Please send the word “Join” on WhatsApp or use the USSD code.
🟨 Answer a few simple questions about your pregnancy.
🟨 Then, you will be registered on MomConnect, and your pregnancy will be recorded in the national database.
🟨 The registered mom will receive weekly WhatsApp messages or SMS’s through her pregnancy and the first years of the baby’s life.

has a dedicated 24-hour helpdesk. Contact them if you have any queries.

MomConnect is here to support you throughout this journey. You are not alone🩵



Ever heard of family planning? 👪Family planning allows you as a woman to decide your own family planning method, in con...
05/02/2026



Ever heard of family planning?

👪Family planning allows you as a woman to decide your own family planning method, in consultation with your health care professional.

👶This helps you decide your desired number of children and how to space out your pregnancies. All of this is achieved through the use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility.

There are different options of contraceptives that suit your needs to choose from.

Access to family planning supports people’s right to make informed choices about their s*xual and reproductive health.

Ask your healthcare worker which method is right for you. Protecting yourself now supports a healthy future for you and your family. 💛💛

The recent floods that have happened in certain parts of the country could result in a high risk of Malaria infection in...
04/02/2026

The recent floods that have happened in certain parts of the country could result in a high risk of Malaria infection in the aftermath of floods, which have resulted in standing water that facilitates the breeding of malaria mosquitoes.

If you notice any of these symptoms:

⚠️High fever
⚠️Chills and sweating
⚠️Headache
⚠️Body pain

Please visit your nearest healthcare facility.

Remember, malaria should never be treated at home. Ensure you seek medical attention immediately.

Early treatment saves lives.

A s*xually transmitted infection, or STI, is a disease (bacteria, virus, or parasite) that is usually passed from one pe...
04/02/2026

A s*xually transmitted infection, or STI, is a disease (bacteria, virus, or parasite) that is usually passed from one person to another through s*xual activity.
This does not necessarily have to include pe*******on, as some STIs are passed from skin-to-skin contact.

How can you protect yourself?

You can reduce your chances of exposure to STIs in several ways:
🔴Have s*x with a partner who has been tested for an STI, and who only has s*x with you. The more partners you have, the more likely you are to be exposed to an STI.
🔴Having s*x without a condom is one of the greatest causes of contracting STIs. It is important to use a condom at all times when having s*xual in*******se.
🔴Previous infections with one or more STIs make it easier for a new STI to develop in your body. You and your partner can also re-infect one another with an STI if you do not get yourselves tested and treated regularly.
🔴Always use sterile or new needles, and do not share drug-using equipment. Most STIs can be cured if diagnosed and treated early. All of them can be prevented, however, through responsible s*xual behaviour.
🔴For pregnant women, protect your health , your unborn baby and your partner by using male or female condoms . This helps prevent and protects against s*xually and vertically transmitted infections like HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B.

National Department of Health (South Africa)

Address

Dr AB Xuma Building, 1112 Voortrekker Road, Pretoria Townlands 351-JR
Pretoria
0187

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Website

https://www.youtube.com/@SideBySide_za, https://www.instagram.com

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