Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, also known as Baragwanath Hospital or Chris Hani Baragwanath, has a fascinating history and significant importance in the healthcare landscape of South Africa. Here’s a summarized and rewritten version of its history and key details.

Historical Background:

• The origins of Baragwanath Hospital can be traced back to the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand.
• John Albert Baragwanath, a young Cornish man, arrived in the goldfields with hopes of making his fortune. The name “Baragwanath” originates from the Welsh words “Bara” (bread) and “gwanath” (wheat).
• After various ventures, John Albert established a refreshment post, “The Wayside Inn,” a day’s journey by ox wagon from Johannesburg, at the crossroads of the roads to Kimberly and Vereeniging. It soon became known as “Baragwanath’s Place.”

World War II and Hospital Establishment:

• The outbreak of World War II brought significant changes globally and in South Africa.
• In 1939, Britain faced a shortage of healthcare facilities for military personnel and requested South Africa’s assistance.
• The British War Office proposed the construction of two 1,200-bed hospitals and a 2,000-bed convalescent depot in South Africa. One of these hospitals was designated for Johannesburg.
• Construction of the hospital began in November 1941 on land purchased from the Corner House mining group, near the site of the old Wayside Inn.
• The British Government contributed £328,000 for a 1,544-bed hospital.
• Initially called “The Imperial Military Hospital, Baragwanath,” the hospital’s construction was expedited due to wartime urgency. It admitted its first patients in May 1942.

Post-War Transition:

• Field Marshal Smuts officially opened the hospital on September 23, 1942. It was revealed that post-war, the government intended to use the hospital for the Black population of the Witwatersrand.
• During the war, Baragwanath treated casualties primarily from the Middle East command, later shifting its focus to tuberculosis patients, including those from the Far East Command.
• In 1947, the hospital was an important venue for a royal visit, with King George VI presenting medals to British and Commonwealth troops recovering there.
• After the war, the South African government purchased the hospital for £1 million. On April 1, 1948, the black section of Johannesburg Hospital (NEH) was transferred to Bara, which opened with 480 beds.
• Over the next three decades, Baragwanath expanded in size and status, serving not only Soweto but also as a referral hospital for a significant part of the country and neighboring African states.
• The hospital has played a crucial role in training healthcare professionals and contributing to research on diseases and pathology.

Renaming to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital:

• In 1997, the hospital’s name was changed to “Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital” in honor of Chris Hani, a prominent anti-apartheid activist.
• Chris Hani’s remarkable life and contributions to the struggle against apartheid are commemorated through this renaming.

General Information:

• Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is the world’s third-largest hospital, covering approximately 173 acres with around 3,200 beds and 6,760 staff members.
• The hospital comprises 429 buildings spanning a total surface area of 233,795 m2.
• Emergency services, including accident and ambulance care, are among the busiest, with over 350 daily patients, and around 70% of admissions are emergencies.
• The hospital also serves as a teaching facility for the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School and is an essential part of medical education and research in South Africa.

Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital remains a symbol of resilience and transformation, reflecting the broader social, economic, and political changes in South Africa. It continues to provide critical healthcare services, training, and research while honoring the legacy of Chris Hani.

Address: 26 Chris Hani Road, Soweto
Contact numer: 011 933 0967 or 011 938 8161