Johannesburg’s Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), Africa’s largest hospital and Gauteng’s busiest medical facility, will enforce new visiting hours from 1 September 2025. Visiting times will move from the current 14h00–16h00 slot to 13h00–15h00, weekends included.
The hospital says the decision is more than just moving the clock forward. It is a deliberate step to strengthen patient recovery, curb infection risks, and create a smoother environment for staff and patients.
READ MORE: How Visiting Hour Changes Support Infection Control at Gauteng’s Biggest Hospital
Why the Change Matters
CHBAH treats thousands of patients daily from Soweto, Johannesburg, and beyond. With such a heavy patient load, even small operational changes ripple through the system.
Hospital CEO Dr Nthabiseng Makgana emphasised that the change aligns visiting hours with clinical workflows. “This adjustment helps us reduce disruptions to medical routines, support recovery, and tighten infection control measures,” she explained.
By freeing up the mornings and evenings, doctors and nurses can complete ward rounds and procedures without interruptions. Patients, in turn, get longer uninterrupted stretches of rest—a crucial factor in recovery.
Balancing Family Support and Medical Needs
Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital stressed that the decision followed extensive consultation with staff, organised labour, and clinical departments. Families remain central to the healing process, and the hospital has protected that role.
Exceptions will continue for children, patients in critical care, and those in end-of-life situations. Under these circumstances, visits will be arranged with compassion by clinical staff.
“These exceptions allow families to be present during the most critical times while maintaining the integrity of patient care,” Dr Makgana said.
Fighting Rumours and Misinformation
Earlier in the year, social media buzz suggested CHBAH planned to charge visitors a fee. The hospital swiftly dismissed the claims, clarifying that the review focused only on visiting times.
With the review now concluded, management urged the public to respect the changes. “By cooperating with the new schedule, families will help us maintain a safer and more organised care environment,” hospital leadership noted.
Towards Safer, More Organised Care
Security and movement inside the hospital also influenced the decision. With earlier hours, CHBAH expects to manage entrances and wards more efficiently, reducing congestion and boosting safety for patients, staff, and visitors.
Motalatale Modiba, Head of Communication for the Gauteng Department of Health, called the change to Baragwanath, a milestone. “These adjustments are a step forward in ensuring Bara continues to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to the communities it serves,” he said.
Linked to Ongoing Reforms
The shift in visiting hours comes as CHBAH and the provincial health department roll out broader reforms. In August, Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko unveiled a new borehole and a 10 000-litre water tanker at the hospital to reduce the impact of municipal water cuts.
Together, these efforts highlight the hospital’s drive to adapt and improve—even under pressure from limited resources and overwhelming demand.
Community Response
For Sowetans, CHBAH is more than just a hospital—it is a lifeline. Families count on being able to see their loved ones. While the two-hour visiting window remains unchanged in length, some residents worry the earlier slot will clash with work schedules.
Health activists acknowledged the concern but urged the public to focus on the bigger picture. “Not everyone can step away from work at lunchtime,” one campaigner admitted, “but these reforms put the patient first—and that is what matters most.”
Others welcomed the change, pointing out that earlier visiting times mean patients can rest longer into the evening without disturbances.
Patient-Centred Care in Action
Adjusting visiting hours is not unique to South Africa. Hospitals worldwide adapt schedules to balance family support, infection control, and clinical routines. What makes CHBAH’s decision stand out is its context—South Africa’s biggest hospital, under constant strain, has signalled that patient recovery will remain at the centre of operations.
The Gauteng Department of Health reinforced this point, saying the goal is to create “a healing environment that balances the needs of patients, families, and healthcare professionals.”
Looking Ahead
From 1 September, families must plan their visits between 13h00 and 15h00 daily, including weekends. Staff will make special arrangements when critical circumstances require flexibility.
The hospital insists the adjustment is not about keeping families away but about protecting patients. With beds constantly full and demand unrelenting, CHBAH must strike a balance between efficient operations and compassionate care.
Final Word
The new visiting hours at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital mark a practical response to modern healthcare pressures. The change shows a facility listening to staff, patients, and the community, and adapting to safeguard both treatment quality and human dignity.
As Gauteng’s healthcare system continues to evolve, CHBAH’s reforms highlight a future where hospitals are not only centres of treatment but also places of rest, safety, and healing.
