Jordan Ellis
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, is the largest hospital in Africa. Colloquially known as 'Bara', the hospital is located in Soweto, south of Johannesburg. It is the third-largest hospital in the world, with 3,200 to 3,400 beds, 6,760 staff members, and a 70-hectare (170-acre) area. The hospital is one of the 40 Gauteng provincial hospitals and is financed and managed by the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital |
| Colloquial Name | Bara |
| Location | Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Number of Beds | 3,200 or 3,400 |
| Staff Members | 6,760 |
| Area | 70 ha or 170 acres or 173 acres |
| Type | Civilian, Teaching, Level One Trauma Centre |
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What You'll Learn
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is the biggest in Africa
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is the biggest hospital in Africa and the third-largest in the world. Located in the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa, the hospital covers 170 to 173 acres, has 3,200 to 3,400 beds, and employs 6,760 staff members. It is one of the 40 Gauteng provincial hospitals and is financed and managed by the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health. The hospital is also a teaching hospital for the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, along with the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, and the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital.
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital has a rich history dating back to World War II when it was built in 1942 as the Imperial Military Hospital, Baragwanath, in what is now Diepkloof. The hospital was established to care for convalescing British and Commonwealth soldiers, and many troops remained there during the post-war years. In 1947, King George VI visited the hospital and presented medals to the patients. On April 1, 1948, the black section of Johannesburg Hospital was transferred to Baragwanath, and the hospital opened with 480 beds. Over the next three decades, the hospital grew significantly in size and stature.
Today, the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital not only serves the Soweto community but also functions as a referral hospital for a large part of South Africa and surrounding African states. The hospital handles approximately 150,000 inpatient cases and 500,000 outpatient cases annually, with emergencies accounting for 70% of admissions. The hospital is well-known for its trauma and emergency medicine facilities and is an accredited Level One trauma centre.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gauteng government invested R 528 million in the hospital, which included the construction of a new 500-bed facility. The hospital also faced administrative challenges during this time, with the Public Protector identifying deficiencies in the delivery of primary healthcare services. Despite these issues, the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital remains a pivotal healthcare institution in Africa, providing essential services to the people of South Africa and beyond.
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It is the world's third-biggest hospital
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in South Africa is the world's third-biggest hospital. Colloquially known as "Bara", it is located in the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is one of the 40 Gauteng provincial hospitals, financed and managed by the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health. The hospital has 6,760 staff members, 3,400 beds, and occupies 170 acres of land. Emergencies account for 70% of admissions, including an average of 160 gunshot wound victims per month. Annually, the hospital handles about 150,000 inpatient cases and 500,000 outpatient cases.
The hospital was originally built in 1942 as the Imperial Military Hospital, Baragwanath, in what is now Diepkloof, to serve as a convalescent home for British and Commonwealth soldiers. Post-war, the South African government purchased the hospital for one million pounds. On 1 April 1948, the black section of Johannesburg Hospital was transferred to Bara, and the hospital opened with 480 beds. Over the next 30 years, Baragwanath grew in size and status. Today, it not only provides for Soweto but also serves as a referral hospital for a large part of the country, including surrounding African states.
The hospital is a teaching hospital for the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, along with the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, and the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. It is also a training school for nurses, with graduates working in many areas of the world today. The hospital's experience contributes to research by recording and documenting the change in disease and pathology, providing guidance to all who face similar situations worldwide.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, the Gauteng government spent R 528 million on the hospital, including a new 500-bed facility.
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It is located in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
The largest hospital in Africa is located in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. The Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, colloquially known as "Bara", is the largest hospital in Africa and the third-largest in the world. It is one of 40 Gauteng provincial hospitals, financed and managed by the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health. The hospital is located south of Johannesburg in Soweto, which was a separate municipality from 1983 to 2002 before being amalgamated into the City of Johannesburg.
The hospital was originally known as the Imperial Military Hospital, Baragwanath, and was built in 1942 in Diepkloof for convalescing British and Commonwealth soldiers. In 1948, the black section of Johannesburg Hospital (NEH) was transferred to Bara, and the hospital opened with 480 beds. Over the following decades, the hospital grew in size and status. Today, it serves not only Soweto but also acts as a referral hospital for much of the country and surrounding African states.
The hospital is named after Chris Hani, a prominent activist who was born on 28 June 1942 in Cofimvaba, Transkei. He obtained his BA degree in Latin and English from the Universities of Fort Hare and Rhodes in 1961 before joining the African National Congress (ANC) military wing. He was actively involved in negotiations towards an interim Constitution and preparations for South Africa's first democratic elections. His tragic murder in 1993 left the nation with a great loss, and his name was coupled with the hospital in 1997 to symbolise reconciliation.
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital has 6,760 staff members and 3,400 beds, occupying 70 hectares (170 acres). It is a teaching hospital for the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, along with the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, and the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. It is an accredited Level One trauma centre with world-class trauma and emergency medicine facilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gauteng government spent R 528 million on the hospital, including a new 500-bed facility.
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The hospital has 3,200 beds and 6,760 staff members
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in South Africa is the largest hospital in Africa. Colloquially known as 'Bara', the hospital is located in the Soweto area of Johannesburg. It is one of the 40 Gauteng provincial hospitals and is financed and managed by the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health.
The history of the hospital dates back to 1942 when the Imperial Military Hospital, Baragwanath was built in what is today Diepkloof. It was built to serve as a hospital for convalescing British and Commonwealth soldiers. In 1948, the black section of Johannesburg Hospital was transferred to Bara, and the hospital opened with 480 beds. Over the following decades, the hospital grew in size and status.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gauteng government spent R 528 million on the hospital, which included the construction of a new 500-bed facility.
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It is a teaching hospital for the University of Witwatersrand Medical School
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in South Africa is the largest hospital in Africa and the seventh-largest in the world. Colloquially known as 'Bara', the hospital is located in the Soweto area of Johannesburg. It is one of the 40 Gauteng provincial hospitals, financed and managed by the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health.
The hospital has 6,760 staff members and 3,400 beds, occupying 70 hectares or 170 acres of land. It handles about 150,000 inpatient cases and 500,000 outpatient cases annually. Emergencies account for 70% of admissions, including an average of 160 gunshot wound victims per month.
The hospital is a teaching hospital for the University of Witwatersrand Medical School, along with the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, and the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. The University of Witwatersrand Medical School has benefited significantly from the experience gained by its doctors at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital since 1948. The hospital has also contributed to the training of nurses, with graduate nurses from Bara working in many areas of the world today.
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital has a rich history, with many British and Commonwealth troops recovering there after World War II. King George VI visited the hospital in 1947 to present medals. The hospital was originally built in 1942 as the Imperial Military Hospital, Baragwanath, for convalescing British and Commonwealth soldiers. In 1997, the hospital was renamed after the prominent activist Chris Hani, who was assassinated in 1993. Coupling his name with that of the hospital was seen as a healing act and a step towards reconciliation in South Africa.
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Frequently asked questions
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa is the largest hospital in Africa and the third-largest hospital in the world.
The hospital has 3,200-3,400 beds.
The hospital has 6,760 staff members.
