CHRIS HANI BARAGWANATH HOSPITAL - Johannesburg

Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, with its 2'964 beds, is the largest acute hospital in the world. It is situated to the south west of Johannesburg, on the southern border of Soweto. The Hospital grounds cover an area of 173 acres, consisting of 429 buildings with a total floor area of 233'785.19m2. The hospital has a staff establishment of nearly 5'000, of which 600 are doctors and 2'000 are nurses. The greater part of the teaching and clinical research for the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of the Witwatersrand takes place at this hospital. Bara is also a training school for nurses with a training college, affiliated with Wits University, on the premises. For the financial year 2001/2002 the Hospital budget amounted to R766'995'823, and receipts in patient fees amounted  

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to R5'811'674. Patients pay according to income and marital status. About 80% of the patients are classified as "hospital patients". They pay between R13 and R39 per outpatient visit, and between R129 and R194 per admission per month, all treatment included. Maternity cases and all children under the age of 6 years old, are treated free of charge, excluding medical aid schemes and foreign patients. Approximately 20% of patients are classified as "private patients", which include medical aid scheme members. These patients pay R55 per outpatient visit with an additional R27.50, for after hours treatment. Foreign patients pay an extra levy of R55. The admission fees are R373 per day plus charges for services rendered and treatment received. Foreign patients will pay R746 per day plus services and treatment. However, before admission a deposit or government guarantee of R10'000 is required.