Africa’s largest hospital to receive R20m upgrade for its Mother’s Lodge

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As Africa’s largest hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital treats about 60,000 maternity patients each year.

Many mothers travel long distances to remain close to their babies receiving critical neonatal care, often facing financial and emotional hardship.

Since 2024, the Mother’s Lodge has supported 2,560 mothers, while the Ronald McDonald Family Room has served more than 45,000 mothers since 2014.

Scheduled to open in 2027, the nearly R20m development will increase accommodation capacity from 15 bedrooms accommodating 30 mothers to 36 bedrooms accommodating 72 mothers.

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Family-centred care

Matshepo Msibi, CEO of RMHC, said no mother should have to worry about where she will sleep or what she will eat while her baby receives care.

“This new lodge is about more than providing beds. It is about giving mothers comfort, dignity and peace of mind during an incredibly difficult time,” said Msibi.

“Through our work at Baragwanath Hospital and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, we have seen the difference that family-centred care makes.

“With the support of our partners and communities, we want to reach even more families across South Africa.

“We want to restore dignity to communities that are already experiencing hardship.

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“The new three-storey lodge will offer en-suite bathrooms, communal dining and kitchen facilities, laundry services, Wi-Fi and psychosocial support.”

Globally, more than 94% of leading hospital partners agree that Ronald McDonald House reduces stress and financial pressure on families.

With demand for House and Family Room programmes projected to reach two million families annually by 2034, the organisation aims to double the number of families served by 2030.