The Department of Anaesthesiology at the Pretoria Hospital (currently Steve Biko Academic Hospital) had its humble beginnings in 1959 as the first independent academic Anaesthesiolgy department in South Africa. This landmark achievement was orchestrated under the leadership of Professor OVS Kok, the first academic head of the department. The department has since grown to include four training hospitals on a rotation circuit. The successors to Professor Kok, namely Professors AP Lessing, Johan Hugo and Arthur Rantloane shaped the department to become a strength in the Anaesthesiology fraternity in Southern Africa. Professor Arthur Rantloane is the current academic head of the Department.

The activities of the department consist of service delivery at the four circuit hospitals, clinical training, academic teaching and research. Adjunct to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital are the other circuit hospitals, namely Kalafong Hospital, 1 Military Hospital and Witbank Hospital (eMalahleni). The Department of Anaesthesiology is proud of its legacy of high academic standards and excellent service delivery to patients of our region and referral area.

Currently the department has 48 registrars and 22 dedicated and highly regarded full-time consultants based at the four hospitals. Medical officers at the two main teaching hospitals totals 12, helping with service delivery and studying towards the Diploma in Anaesthesia and primary subjects. Various administrative personnel at the circuit hospitals are responsible to assist with departmental management, ensuring the smooth running of all the departmental activities.

The Department of Anaesthesiology at the University of Pretoria is proud of what it has become and constantly endeavours to provide optimal patient care, teaching, training and research of the highest caliber.

Prof EE Oosthuizen