Our Story
Friends of Khayelitsha District Hospital is a non-profit company (NPC) that was established in 2023 with the purpose of offering additional care and support to the patients and staff at Khayelitsha District Hospital (KDH), in Cape Town, South Africa.
Friends of KDH recognises the unique challenges faced by the ever-growing population of Khayelitsha and the critical role played by the hospital in the community. We aim to address the gaps and limitations within the healthcare system, so that patients and staff are treated with dignity and humanity while receiving excellent care and support.
Our NPC focuses on:
Equipping and improving facilities, elevating patient care, hospital hygiene standards and treatment outcomes.
Providing targeted capacity-building interventions and developmental resources that enhance the capabilities of hospital staff, enabling them to better serve and care for patients.
Friends of KDH was founded by - among others - midwife Kate Christie-Wade, who has a heart filled with passion for the patients at Khayelitsha District Hospital. When working there, she noticed gaps that an NPC could help to bridge, and established the organisation with a vision to raise awareness and donations, and coordinate projects and volunteers in order to increase support beyond what can be provided within the budget of the Department of Health.
We acknowledge that hospitals and hospital experiences can be traumatic for the people who spend time in them, and so we are committed to channeling resources, knowledge and care to the places where they make the biggest impact.
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Khayelitsha
THE COMMUNITY
Khayelitsha, meaning ‘new home’ in Xhosa, was announced by the South African government as a planned township in 1985. It has since become the largest and fastest-growing township in the Western Cape, covering an area of approximately 40 square kilometres. The population of Khayelitsha is estimated to be about 1.5 million residents. Unfortunately, Khayelitsha faces significant socio-economic challenges, with over half of its households residing in informal dwellings. As a result, it is considered one of the poorest areas of Cape Town.
The Hospital
Khayelitsha District Hospital (KDH), which serves this burgeoning population, is a government hospital that was officially opened in April 2012; it plays a vital role in providing healthcare services to the members of the community - many of whom face economic hardships, chronic illness and disabilities. Although it recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, the hospital still retains a fresh and modern ambiance, with abundant natural light, polished floors, captivating murals and modern benches. However, behind the pleasing aesthetics, the hospital grapples with significant challenges stemming from the rapid population growth of the community it serves and limited funding from the Department of Health.
The hospital is constantly challenged by critical shortages of staff and equipment, and the continuous influx of patients has led to a perpetual struggle to meet their needs effectively. With all 340 beds consistently occupied, the hospital experiences a strain on resources, resulting in a shortage of staff and important services required to provide patient care. This not only impacts the overall patient experience, but also places additional burdens on the dedicated hospital staff.
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