Top 10 Best Hospitals in Durban – Contacts & Locations
1. Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital
Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital – IALCH Web Address: Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, 800 Vusi Mzimela Rd, Umkumbaan, Durban, 4091, South Africa Phone: +27312401000
Type: Public tertiary hospital (specialist care)
📞 Main number: +27 31 240 1000
📍 Address: 800 Vusi Mzimela Rd, Cato Manor, Durban, 4091, South Africa
🗺 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4QMUqDptzqP4bH1NA
💡 Good for: Major emergencies, complex surgery, specialist care referrals, ICU, oncology and trauma.
2. Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital
Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital Web Address: 107 J.B. Marks Rd, Bulwer, Berea, 4001, South Africa Phone: +27312685000
Type: Private hospital
📞 Phone: +27 31 268 5000 (general switchboard) (Camaf)
📍 Address: 107 J.B. Marks Rd, Bulwer, Berea, Durban, 4001, South Africa
🗺 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8XoJrB1e9wxdTaP68
💡 Good for: General surgery, emergency care, private ward, family medicine.
3. Netcare uMhlanga Hospital
Netcare uMhlanga Hospital Web Address: 323 uMhlanga Rocks Dr, Umhlanga, Durban, 4320, South Africa Phone: +27315605500
Type: Private hospital
📞 Phone: +27 31 560 5500 (Camaf)
📍 Address: 323 uMhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga, Durban, 4320, South Africa
🗺 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bgGZR9xCyH7r4YyN9
💡 Good for: Maternity care, elective surgery, general medicine.
4. Life Entabeni Hospital
Life Entabeni Hospital Web Address: Lower Grnd flr, 148 Mazisi Kunene Rd, Berea, 4001, South Africa Phone: +27312041300
Type: Private hospital
📞 Phone: +27 31 261 7073 (Urologist)
📍 Address: 148 Mazisi Kunene Rd, Berea, Durban, 4001, South Africa
🗺 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z2DzTG8b4eq7o7oY9
💡 Good for: Rehabilitation, surgery, maternity and outpatient care.
5. King Edward Viii Hospital
King Edward Viii Hospital – Critical Care Unit Address: Gate 2, 719 Umbilo Road, Congella, Durban, 4001, South Africa Phone: +27313603111
Type: Public hospital (teaching hospital)
📞 Phone: +27 31 360 3111 (main) (Archdiocese of Durban)
📍 Address: Gate 2, 719 Umbilo Rd, Congella, Durban, 4001, South Africa
🗺 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/A1p7qwiVTGQbF8mG7
💡 Good for: Public emergency care, maternity, general medical services.
6. Addington Hospital
Addington Hospital Address: 16 Erskine Terrace, South Beach, Durban, 4001, South Africa Phone: +27313272000
Type: Public regional hospital
📞 Phone: +27 31 337 5676 / +27 83 392 9089 (Archdiocese of Durban)
📍 Address: 16 Erskine Terrace, South Beach, Durban, 4001, South Africa
🗺 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8GHx4Y9XtcMG7QmN7
💡 Good for: Emergency, maternity and general treatment for local residents.
7. Lenmed: Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre
Lenmed: Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre Web Address: Riverhorse Valley Business Est, Cnr Riverhorse & Queen Nandi Drive, Newlands East, 4037, South Africa Phone: +27315812400
Type: Private specialist hospital (Heart)
📞 Phone: +27 31 581 2400 (Lenmed Hospital Group)
📍 Address: Riverhorse Valley Business Est, Cnr Riverhorse & Queen Nandi Drive, Newlands East, 4037, South Africa
🗺 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3y6s3AFaXeu4x3wx8
💡 Good for: Heart surgery, cardiac care (adult and paediatric), stroke, intensive care. (Lenmed Hospital Group)
8. Lenmed Shifa Private Hospital
Lenmed Shifa Private Hospital Web Address: 482 Randles Rd, Sydenham, Berea, 4091, South Africa Phone: +27870870641
Type: Private hospital
📞 Phone: +27 87 087 0641 (Lenmed People)
📍 Address: 482 Randles Rd, Sydenham, Berea, 4091, South Africa
🗺 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XzS7hYbxGr4WGrRr8
💡 Good for: Maternity (NICU), surgery, general medicine.
9. Ahmed Al-Kadi Private Hospital
Ahmed Al-Kadi Private Hospital – The AAK Web Address: 486-490 King Cetshwayo Hwy, Mayville, Durban, 4058, South Africa Phone: +27314923400
Type: Private hospital
📞 Phone: +27 31 492 3453 (Urologist)
📍 Address: 486–490 King Cetshwayo Hwy, Mayville, Durban, 4058, South Africa
🗺 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YyqWnuUYjzNyh9MFA
💡 Good for: Family care, general surgery, general medical care.
10. City Hospital
City Hospital Web Address: 83 Ismail C Meer St, Durban Central, Durban, 4001, South Africa Phone: +27313143000
Type: Private hospital
📞 Phone: +27 31 309 3496 (general line) (Archdiocese of Durban)
📍 Address: 83 Ismail C Meer St, Durban Central, Durban, 4001, South Africa
🗺 Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2QwpyuX6uBPSMBLy9
💡 Good for: General medical and surgical care in central Durban.
🏆 Best Hospital for … Specific Needs
| Need / Specialty | Best Hospital in Durban |
|---|---|
| ❤️ Heart & Cardiac Care | Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre — advanced cardiac surgery & paediatrics (Lenmed Hospital Group) |
| 🤰 Maternity & Birth | Lenmed Shifa, Netcare St Augustine’s, Netcare uMhlanga, Life Entabeni |
| 🩺 General Surgery | Netcare St Augustine’s, Netcare uMhlanga, Life Entabeni, Ahmed Al-Kadi |
| 👶 Children & Paediatric Care | Lenmed Ethekwini Heart Centre (paediatric cardiac) (Lenmed Hospital Group) |
| 🚨 Emergency & Trauma | IALCH (public), Addington (public), King Edward VIII |
| 🧠 Specialist Referral / Complex Care | IALCH (public tertiary) |
| 🏥 Public Healthcare | IALCH, King Edward VIII, Addington |
| 🏨 Private Comfort & Short Wait Time | Netcare St Augustine’s, Netcare uMhlanga |
📊 Comparison Chart: Top 10 Durban Hospitals
| Hospital | Type | Best For | Contact | Google Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IALCH | Public specialist | Complex care, Trauma, ICU | +27 31 240 1000 | 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/4QMUqDptzqP4bH1NA |
| Netcare St Augustine’s | Private | Surgery, general care | +27 31 268 5000 (Camaf) | 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/8XoJrB1e9wxdTaP68 |
| Netcare uMhlanga | Private | Maternity, surgery | +27 31 560 5500 (Camaf) | 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/bgGZR9xCyH7r4YyN9 |
| Life Entabeni | Private | Rehab, general care | +27 31 261 7073 (Urologist) | 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/z2DzTG8b4eq7o7oY9 |
| King Edward VIII | Public | Emergency, general | +27 31 360 3111 (Archdiocese of Durban) | 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/A1p7qwiVTGQbF8mG7 |
| Addington Hospital | Public | Emergency, maternity | +27 31 337 5676 (Archdiocese of Durban) | 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/8GHx4Y9XtcMG7QmN7 |
| Ethekwini Heart Centre | Private specialist | Heart, paediatric cardiac | +27 31 581 2400 (Lenmed Hospital Group) | 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/3y6s3AFaXeu4x3wx8 |
| Lenmed Shifa | Private | Maternity, general | +27 87 087 0641 (Lenmed People) | 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/XzS7hYbxGr4WGrRr8 |
| Ahmed Al-Kadi | Private | General care | +27 31 492 3453 (Urologist) | 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/YyqWnuUYjzNyh9MFA |
| City Hospital | Private | General medicine | +27 31 309 3496 (Archdiocese of Durban) | 📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/2QwpyuX6uBPSMBLy9 |
🩹 Tips for Choosing the Right Hospital
✔ Emergency – Go to the closest hospital with an A&E (public or private).
✔ Specialist care (heart/complex surgery) – Ethekwini Heart Centre or IALCH.
✔ Maternity or birth – Choose a private maternity-friendly hospital if possible.
✔ Children’s care – Heart and surgery care supported best at Ethekwini Heart Centre.
✔ Cost matters – Public hospitals usually cost less but may have longer waits.
Here’s useful information in easy English about average hospital treatment costs in Durban / South Africa and ambulance numbers & how they work — all based on real public data and typical experiences.
🏥 Average Treatment Costs in Durban / South Africa
Healthcare costs vary a lot depending on whether you go to a public hospital or a private hospital, and whether you have medical aid (insurance).
🩹 1. Public Hospital Costs (Government)
In South Africa, public hospitals are subsidised by the government. This means care can be very cheap or free in many situations:
✔ If you don’t have medical aid, emergency treatment in public hospitals can be free or very low cost in urgent cases, especially for life-threatening emergencies. (safacts.co.za)
✔ Basic fees for general visits or non-emergencies (like doctor consultation, tests) are usually very low and often based on income. (Expatica)
✔ Some services like X-rays, scans or specialist consultations can cost a small amount — sometimes from about R70 and up for basic tests in public facilities, depending on your income level and whether you qualify for free care. (Reddit)
Summary (public):
- Emergency care = often free or low cost for life-threatening cases. (safacts.co.za)
- Consultations = often very low (R10–R100+) depending on service and income. (Expatica)
- Overall, public hospitals are much cheaper than private ones.
💸 2. Private Hospital Costs
Private hospital care in Durban — like Netcare, Life, Lenmed or Ahmed Al-Kadi — is more expensive than public care but often faster with more comfort. Costs depend on:
Private consultation fees:
- Visiting a doctor in a private hospital can often cost several hundred rand without insurance. (Expatica)
Emergency Room / ER visit (private):
- You can expect to pay something like R1,500 to R5,000 for an emergency room visit before admission. (agmedicalsolutions.com)
Hospital stay:
- A night in a general ward at a private hospital can be thousands of rand per night. For ICU or specialist care it can be much higher. (agmedicalsolutions.com)
Specific procedures:
- Childbirth or surgery costs vary widely — for example, a private birth (C-section) can range from several thousand rand (“all-in” figures such as R6,000 reported by patients with insurance) to many tens of thousands without medical aid. (Reddit)
Important:
These costs can be much lower if you have medical aid and the hospital is in your plan’s network — many South Africans use medical aid to reduce private hospital bills.
🚑 Ambulance Services — Numbers & Costs
📞 Emergency Numbers in South Africa
🇿🇦 Public ambulance number:
- 10177 — the main number to call for public emergency ambulance service anywhere in SA, including Durban.
- You can also call 112 from a mobile phone to reach emergency services. (Expatica)
📍 Private ambulance numbers (South Africa):
- Netcare911: 082 9111
- ER24: 084 124
These are private ambulance providers you can call directly in emergencies or for planned transport. (southafricablog.com)
📍 Durban local private ambulance (example):
- One Rescue Durban:
- Emergency: 087-8222-991
- Mobile: 071-9944-091
This service can transport patients to and from hospitals, events and transfers. (1rescue.co.za)
💰 Ambulance Costs
Public Ambulance Service
✔ If it’s a life-threatening emergency and you are uninsured, public ambulances will stabilise and take you to the hospital at no charge for the initial emergency service. (safacts.co.za)
Private Ambulance Service Costs (Typical)
If you use a private ambulance (especially for non-emergency transfers or if you request it):
- Basic Life Support transport can start from around R2,500 to R4,000 for up to about an hour of service. (safacts.co.za)
- Advanced Life Support (with intensive medical care in the ambulance) can be more, sometimes above R4,000+ for the initial hour. (safacts.co.za)
- After the first hour, additional charges are based on time or distance (for example, per km beyond 100 km). (safacts.co.za)
💡 Note: Private ambulance costs are usually charged even if you have medical aid, but many medical aids will reimburse some or all of the cost depending on your plan.
🧠 Simple Summary
Hospital Cost Expectations
- 🏥 Public hospital: Often low cost or free in emergencies — government helps pay. (safacts.co.za)
- 🏨 Private hospital: Higher cost — thousands to tens of thousands of rand depending on care, admission, surgeries and length of stay. (agmedicalsolutions.com)
- 👶 Maternity or surgery: Can be expensive without insurance — list prices vary a lot by hospital and procedure. (Reddit)
Ambulance
- 📞 Public emergency number: 10177 or 112 — often free for urgent incidents. (Expatica)
- 🚑 Private ambulance costs: From about R2,500–R4,000+ for basic transport without medical aid. (safacts.co.za)
- 📱 Private providers: Netcare911, ER24, One Rescue Durban offer services you can call directly. (southafricablog.com)
📌 Tips to Save Money
✅ Use public EMS (10177) for true emergencies if cost is a concern. (safacts.co.za)
✅ Check your medical aid cover — many plans pay for ambulance and hospital costs.
✅ Call the hospital first for planned hospital visits — they can advise expected costs.
✅ Ask for estimates in writing before surgery or admission.