Fifty million.
That is the estimated number of people who died during the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-20. The virus infected about 500 million people worldwide– nearly a third of the global population of that time. As a result, the Spanish Flu remains one of the deadliest episodes in human history.
But it was not the last. Exactly 100 years later, the world got another blow from another deadly event– the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2022, the COVID pandemic has infected nearly 650 million people worldwide and killed 6.6 million.
Now, there is something to note here. Both pandemics were deadly, no doubt. But it appears that the COVID-19 pandemic caused much less havoc than the Spanish Flu. Not that COVID-19 wasn’t bad enough, but it certainly killed far fewer people. In other words, we seem to have become much stronger than we were 100 years ago.
So, what changed?
One of the main reasons behind our enhanced fighting capabilities against diseases is the massive advancement in the healthcare sector. And the driving forces behind this massive advancement are large and high-end hospitals capable of treating thousands of patients simultaneously.
The capacity of a hospital – to a large extent – decides how efficient a hospital can be. But do you know which hospitals can accommodate the most number of patients? If not, it’s about time you got to know.
Here’s a list of the ten largest hospitals in the world by bed capacity.
First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University – Henan, China
Number of beds: 7000
With over 7000 beds, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University remains the undisputed leader of the largest hospitals in the world. The hospital is a part of Zhengzhou University – the largest university in China by the number of students.
This advanced multi-specialty hospital is a world-class center for providing healthcare and treatment services. But besides healthcare, the hospital is a prominent research hub, with five workstations, tens of research centers, and numerous laboratories.
West China Medical Center – Chengdu, China
Number of beds: 4300
The West China Medical Center is a part of Sichuan University in the city of Chengdu in China’s Sichuan province. The hospital came into existence in 1914 and is one of the earliest comprehensive medical centers in the country.
The West China Hospital has more than 4,300 beds across three campuses and over 10,000 staff members. Over 7.75 million patients visited the hospital and received treatment in 2021. About 196,000 surgeries were conducted in the same year.
National Center for Mental Health – Mandaluyong, Philippines
Number of beds: 4200
The hospitals that have appeared on this list so far are multi-specialty hospitals. But the third hospital on this list is a hospital that specializes in mental health.
National Center for Mental Health is a psychiatric hospital dedicated to providing care for patients with mental abnormalities and related nervous disorders. Spread over an area of 115 acres, the hospital treats over 56,000 outpatients annually. It also serves as a leading training center for psychiatric care and is a research site for many clinical trials.
Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital – Taoyuan City, Taiwan
Number of beds: 4000
With over 4,000 beds, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital is the fourth-largest hospital in terms of bed capacity. The hospital has been providing healthcare services to millions of patients since 1978. It is one of Taiwan’s eminent centers for medical treatment, research, and education.
Over 10,000 patients come to this hospital every day for treatment. And over 1,700 physicians from over 75 countries come here to receive medical training from the best professionals.
Ankara Bilkent City Hospital – Ankara, Turkey
Number of beds: 3810
One of the newest hospitals on this list, the Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, is the premier hospital in Turkey. The hospital officially opened in March 2019 to treat patients with various illnesses.
The Ankara Bilkent City Hospital is at the epicenter of Turkey’s healthcare system. The hospital has become more efficient in treating patients in two years since its inauguration. As of June 2022, it accommodates 3,810 beds and 131 operating theaters within a ground area of 167 acres.
National Hospital of Sri Lanka – Colombo, Sri Lanka
Number of beds: 3404
The National Hospital of Sri Lanka is not only one of the largest hospitals in the world but also the country’s largest hospital – in terms of size and capacity. It is a government hospital in Sri Lanka and the leading center for healthcare in the country.
The NHSL was founded in 1864; therefore, it is among the oldest hospitals in the island country. It occupies around 32 acres and boasts 3,404 beds, 1,500 doctors, and 6,000 other staff members. The hospital also serves as a training institute for medical graduates who want to specialize in their field.
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital – Johannesburg, South Africa
Number of beds: 3200
Coming seventh on this list is the largest hospital in Africa – Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. The hospital came into existence in 1942 as Imperial Military Hospital, Baragwanath, but finally got its current name in 1997.
It is the 3rd largest hospital worldwide in terms of area, spreading over 173 acres and 429 buildings. The hospital can house 3,200 bed-ridden patients at a time and treats around 150,000 inpatients and 500,000 outpatients annually.
Qasr El Eyni Hospital – Cairo, Egypt
Number of beds: 3200
The Qasr El Eyni Hospital in Cairo started as a medical school in the industrial suburb of Abu Zaabal in 1827. The medical school got its current name ten years later after being shifted to another location.
The modern complex of Qasr El Eyni Hospital has been around since 1996. The entire complex contains over 40 specialized units, providing care and diagnostic services for a wide variety of conditions. The hospital is controlled and operated by Cairo University.
Clinical Center of Serbia – Belgrade, Serbia
Number of beds: 3150
The ninth-largest hospital in the world is the University Clinical Center of Serbia. Since its inception in 1983, it has been the premier medical center in Serbia and also the largest hospital in Europe.
The complex comprises 41 units spread over 34 hectares of land and houses over seven thousand employees who facilitate the treatment of over a million patients annually. The institution is also a research and education center for medical students and a place for specialization for medical professionals.
Government Medical College – Kozhikode, India
Number of beds: 3025
The last hospital on our list of the largest hospitals in the world, the Government Medical College in Kozhikode has been treating patients since 1957. It is also locally popular with the name Calicut Medical College. It is the second-oldest medical college in Kerala and the largest hospital in India.
The campus of the college spans 270 acres and can treat 3,025 inpatients at any given time. Calicut Medical College is not only a hospital but one of India’s most eminent institutes for medical education.
But that’s not all
That was all about the ten largest hospitals in the world by their bed capacity. As is clear from this list, hospitals today can efficiently treat thousands of patients at any time. And this partly explains why we are much more capable of fighting deadly diseases than we were a century earlier.
But capacity alone is not enough to ensure the best healthcare services to the patients. A good hospital is not only about the bed capacity but also about quality treatment options and high-end technical capabilities.
Therefore, before deciding on the best hospital for treatment, make sure to check all aspects other than capacity.
Did you enjoy reading this informational blog? Then you must check out another one of our blogs that talks about the largest stadiums in the world!