RMHC expands Mother’s Lodge at South Africa’s Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

SOUTH AFRICA – Ronald McDonald House Charities South Africa (RMHC) has launched the expansion of its Mother’s Lodge at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Johannesburg to accommodate more mothers whose babies require specialised neonatal care.

The nearly R20 million (US$1.20 million) development will increase the facility’s capacity from 15 bedrooms accommodating 30 mothers to 36 bedrooms serving 72 mothers.

Scheduled to open in 2027, the project is also seeking an additional R3 million (US$180,600) to complete the expansion.

RMHC is calling on corporate organisations, foundations, communities and individuals to help close the funding gap.

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital treats approximately 60,000 maternity patients annually.

Many mothers travel long distances to remain close to newborns receiving critical care, often facing accommodation costs, financial strain and emotional distress during their hospital stays.

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

Expanding family-centred hospital support

The new three-storey facility will provide en-suite bathrooms, communal dining areas, kitchen facilities, laundry services, Wi-Fi and psychosocial support.

These amenities are intended to give mothers a safe place to stay while maintaining close contact with their hospitalised babies.

RMHC Chief Executive Officer Matshepo Msibi said the expansion would address practical challenges faced by families during prolonged hospital stays.

“No mother should have to worry about where she will sleep or what she will eat while her baby receives care,” Msibi said.

She added that the facility would provide more than accommodation by giving mothers comfort, dignity and peace of mind during difficult periods.

Through its programmes at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, RMHC has supported families navigating serious childhood illnesses.

The organisation plans to extend this support to more communities across South Africa through partnerships with businesses and local communities.

Growing demand for family support programmes

RMHC’s expansion comes amid growing recognition of the role family-centred care plays in hospital services, particularly neonatal and paediatric care.

Providing accommodation close to treatment facilities can help reduce the financial and emotional pressures associated with prolonged hospital admissions while enabling parents to remain involved in their children’s care.

Globally, more than 94% of RMHC’s leading hospital partners agree that Ronald McDonald House programmes help reduce stress and financial pressure on families.

The organisation projects that demand for its House and Family Room programmes will reach two million families annually by 2034.

It aims to double the number of families it serves by 2030, increasing the need for partnerships and investment in family accommodation and support services.

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