The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, is a leading dedicated tertiary healthcare facility for children in sub-Saharan Africa. Established in 1956 as a living memorial to soldiers who lost their lives in World War II and remains a symbol of hope, resilience, and paediatric medical excellence on the African continent.

Approximately 300 dedicated paediatric beds

Over 250,000 patient visits each year

Primarily serves low-income and marginalised families from across South Africa and the broader African region.

Clinical Excellence and Specialised Services

The hospital delivers highly specialised care, managing complex childhood conditions that often cannot be treated at regional clinics.

Emergency and trauma: Houses the only dedicated, 24/7 paediatric emergency and trauma centre in Southern Africa.

Intensive care: Features a world-renowned Paediatric Intensive Care Unit designed for critical trauma, burns, neonatal care, and neurosurgery.

Specialised services: Operates leading programmes in paediatric cardiology, oncology, nephrology, and complex general surgery.

Academic and Research Leadership

As a primary teaching facility for the University of Cape Town (UCT), the hospital is a vital hub for medical advancement. It trains the next generation of African paediatric doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, while its research helps inform international practice in childhood infectious diseases, trauma management, and surgical techniques.

Community and Philanthropic Support

The hospital operates within the public healthcare system and is significantly supported by the Children’s Hospital Trust. This independent non-profit organisation directs donations toward life-saving equipment, critical infrastructure, and pioneering programmes such as Breatheasy, which helps technology-dependent children transition safely back to their homes.

100% of Funds go to projects where they are needed

Why it matters: Through clinical care, training, research, and donor-supported programmes, the hospital and Trust help extend specialist paediatric healthcare to children and families across South Africa and the wider region.