About the Hospital

Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, located in Cape Town, South Africa, is a leading tertiary paediatric hospital. Established in 1956 as a tribute to soldiers lost in the Second World War, the hospital has since become a centre of excellence in specialist paediatric care. It serves children from across South Africa and receives referrals from other African nations for advanced paediatric medical services.

Paediatric Anaesthesia Division

The Paediatric Anaesthesia division at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital is one of the busiest in Africa, performing approximately 10,000 anaesthetic procedures each year. Our team provides expert anaesthesia services across a wide range of paediatric specialties, including:

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery

  • Liver Transplantation

  • Burns Management

  • Neurosurgery

  • General Surgery

  • Orthopaedics

  • Ophthalmology

  • ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat)

  • Urology

  • Plastic Surgery

  • Paediatric Sedation

Training & Fellowship Opportunities

We offer extensive training in paediatric anaesthesia, catering to both local and international medical professionals. Training programs include hands-on experience in multiple surgical specialties, as well as structured fellowship opportunities for supernumerary fellows from South Africa and abroad.

Facilities & Services

The hospital features:

  • 8 main operating theatres

  • A dedicated day surgery theatre

  • A trauma theatre

Additionally, our department provides anaesthesia services for:

  • Radiology

  • Cardiology

  • Radiotherapy

  • Chronic pain management

  • Elective paediatric orthopaedic surgery

Our Team

The department consists of:

  • 6 permanent paediatric anaesthetists

  • Up to 3 rotating consultant anaesthetists

  • 7 registrars from the University of Cape Town’s Department of Anaesthesia

Simulation-Based Training & MEPA Centre

Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital is one of only two Managing Emergencies in Paediatric Anaesthesia (MEPA) Centres in Africa. We host regular simulation-based training workshops to enhance paediatric anaesthesia skills and emergency response capabilities.

For more information on training opportunities or referrals, please contact us.