The traditional African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” has been widely quoted when looking at the extended partnerships required during the healthy development of our youth. That “village” has never been more necessary than it is today and having Prof. Van As as chief of the child safety movement in Cape Town […]

The 1st September 2015, marked the start of the four Phase Upgrade and Expansion of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH). Phase one of construction saw the first of the 3 patient units completed. Patients and staff were located in temporary units during construction, but soon […]

Patient: Tazzlin Maarman Age: 11 years old Ward: ICU Date: 1 November 2016 Tazzlin is the most wonderful, confident and articulate young girl who lights up a room with her infectious smile. This 11-year-old is a true survivor who has fought through a challenging medical journey, never losing hope or giving up on her positive […]

The statue of Peter Pan at the entrance to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa has a special significance. It was erected by WW1 veteran, Vyvyan and his wife Gwen Watson in remembrance of their son Peter who died of diphtheria in 1923, long before a children’s hospital existed. Vyvyan Watson was […]

2016 was a milestone year for the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital’s (RCWMCH) in Cape Town, South Africa as they celebrated their 60th anniversary. The history of the hospital goes back to the Second World War when a group of South African soldiers of all races resolved that when they returned home they would create a […]

The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) is world renowned for its treatment, research and training programmes and the current upgrade and expansion of it’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is playing an important part in the development of expertise in paediatric clinical services throughout Africa. We recently interviewed Professor of Paediatric Neurology at RCWMCH, […]

I sit and wait in the quiet atmosphere of the top floor of the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) for Doctor Charlyne Kilba. Through the open window a flock of birds fly past the backdrop of Table Mountain. All is calm, but below me the hospital is buzzing with doctors, nurses, patients and […]

Clinical technologists are technologically sophisticated staff members who are intimately involved in many aspects of healthcare, they are instrumental in bridging the gap between clinicians and engineers. They don’t work directly with patients, but with the technology used to support patient care. Clinical Technologists are capable of applying their knowledge to assist in the diagnosis, treatment […]

Nurse, Shaheeda Juel talks construction, patient care and the importance of isolation units with Quercus Foundation during our recent visit to the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) in Cape Town, South Africa. Juel is a professional nurse in their Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). On becoming a nurse I always had a love […]