Ambulances, Hospitals and Doctors in South Africa: Essential Information
You can get world class medical care in South Africa – provided you go with private doctors, ambulances and hospitals. This is one reason why it’s essential to travel with health insurance. Public health care here is reasonably good, but typically not as quick or convenient as the private option. In all cases, expect to pay fees upfront, and then reclaim from your insurance company.
Ambulance Emergency Numbers:
Dialing any of the following numbers will call an ambulance to your location.
- 1-0177 for municipal (public) ambulance service.
- 082 911 for Netcare (private) ambulance service.
- 082 124 for ER 24 (private) ambulance service.
Hospitals:
SA Blog recommends that visitors to South Africa use private hospitals, because of the speed of attention they can give. Here are SA’s two major private hospital networks.
- Medi-Clinic
- Netcare
- Cape Town: Christiaan Barnard Memorial (City Park)
cnr. Longmarket & Loop Streets, city center | Map
+27 (0) 21 480 6217/2 emergency
+27 (0) 21 480 6111 non-emergency - Joburb: Milpark Hospital
9 Guild Road, Parktown | Map
+27 (0) 11 480 5912 emergency
+27 (0) 11 480 5600 non-emergency - Durban:St. Augustine
107 Chelmsford Road, Durban | Map
+27 (0) 31 268 5559 emergency
+27 (0) 31 268 5000 non-emergency
In South Africa’s three major urban centers, SA Blog recommends the following indivdual (private) hospitals/emergency rooms for 24-hour care:
Find a doctor:
Expect to pay between R120-R250 for a consultation with a GP, and up to R600 for one with a specialist, excluding medicine and/or pharmacy fees.