The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital has officially unveiled a state-of-the-art orthopaedic unit, significantly boosting its capacity to deliver specialised surgical and outpatient care to children across the Western Cape.
The new facility – fully funded by donors at an estimated cost of R90 million – was developed in partnership with the Children’s Hospital Trust, which oversaw the fundraising and construction.
The unit will centralise orthopaedic services, offering a dedicated space for both inpatient and outpatient care. It includes:
- Specialist orthopaedic beds
- Isolation cubicles
- Treatment rooms
- A physiotherapy suite for post-operative recovery
Hospital officials say the expansion will reduce surgical waiting times, streamline post-operative care, and improve overall outcomes for children needing complex orthopaedic treatment.
Mayor Praises Hospital’s “Gold Standard” Care
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and took to social media to commend the project.
“Cape Town’s Red Cross Children’s Hospital truly is the healthcare gold standard in South Africa. Their new orthopaedic unit raises the bar even higher.”
His remarks highlighted the city’s support for the hospital and its long-standing reputation for excellence in paediatric care.
Improving Access and Outcomes
According to hospital leaders, the new unit was designed to meet the growing demand for timely, specialist orthopaedic interventions in children – a need that has outstripped capacity in recent years.
The dedicated space is expected to help alleviate backlogs, improve follow-up care, and allow for more integrated treatment plans.
The launch ceremony brought together civic leaders, medical staff, and representatives from donor organisations and fundraising bodies, all celebrating what they described as a milestone investment in child health.
The Red Cross Children’s Hospital remains the only stand-alone, dedicated paediatric hospital in sub-Saharan Africa – and continues to be a national leader in child healthcare innovation.
