R. K. Khan Hospital

Have you ever wondered about the origins of R. K. Khan Hospital? This imposing building, right here in Chatsworth, has a fascinating history. R. K. Khan Hospital is a regional and district hospital with 543 beds. It serves the people of Chatsworth and the surrounding areas. Its reach extends from Yellowwood Park to Richmond. It also acts as a referral hospital for St Mary’s Hospital and KwaDabeka Clinic. The hospital’s story began long before its official opening in March 1969. It’s intertwined with the legacy of Advocate Abdul Rahim Abdul Karim Khan, or R. K. Khan, as he was known. Born in Bombay in 1874, R. K. Khan was a distinguished lawyer, a member of Lincoln’s Inn. He was brought to Durban by none other than Mahatma Gandhi in 1907. R. K. Khan served as joint secretary of the Natal Indian Congress for many years. Before his passing in 1923, he bequeathed his entire estate, valued at around R80,000, to Indian Medical Relief in South Africa. This act of generosity laid the foundation for what would become R. K. Khan Hospital. The R. K. Khan Hospital and Dispensary Trust, established following his bequest, initially ran three clinics in Durban. These were located in Clairwood, Sea Cow Lake, and Somtseu Road. By 1942, the trust had accumulated assets of over £43,000 and resolved to build a hospital. The 500-bed R. K. Khan Hospital finally opened its doors in 1969. The total cost was a staggering R400 million, with the R. K. Khan Trust contributing R400,000. Today, R. K. Khan Hospital is a testament to R. K. Khan’s vision. The hospital stands as a center for medical training and research, serving the community and upholding the legacy of its namesake.