Steve Biko Academic Hospital

Steve Biko Academic Hospital (SBAH) is one of HospiVision's premier sites for student-volunteer integration and specialised clinical support. Located in Pretoria, this leading academic hospital serves as a vital training ground where volunteers gain hands-on experience while providing compassionate care to patients and families.

Under the coordination of our training manager, Rev Tessa de bruin, the Steve Biko office manages a dedicated team of volunteers who provide pastoral-spiritual care, emotional support, and counselling services across the hospital's wards.

A hallmark of our work at SBAH is our partnership with the Neuro Ward (Ward 9.4). Our dedicated team participates in multidisciplinary rounds weekly, providing emotional support and debriefing for patients and their families during what is often an extremely challenging time.

Steve Biko Academic Hospital serves as an exceptional training site for South Africa's future mental health professionals. Through our partnership with the South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP), BPsych students complete over 100 hours of psychosocial work as Registered Student Counsellors, gaining real-world clinical experience.

One of the most significant outcomes of the SBAH programme is the professional advancement of our volunteers. In 2025, four volunteers from our team were accepted into Clinical Psychology Master's programmes and one into Educational Psychology at institutions including UNISA, Sefako Makgatho University, and the University of Pretoria.

Our volunteers regularly sort and distribute donations including clothing, comfort items, and baby clothes to patients in need. These practical acts of kindness complement the emotional and spiritual care we provide.