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5 Best Pediatricians in Johannesburg (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

Elara Kestrel
By Elara Kestrel, Health and Medical Expert · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

A newborn with a fever at midnight is not a moment for guesswork. Johannesburg's pediatricians on this page have collected 485 Google reviews between them, and while every one holds a rating of 4.5 or better, the review counts run from 47 up to 155, a gap that says as much about how established each practice is as any star rating does.

Short answer: Dr Michael Platten tops the list with a perfect 5.0 across 155 reviews, followed by Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital (4.5 from 154 reviews) and Dr Daniel Azar Paediatrics (5.0 from 68). Costs vary by medical aid coverage and whether you see a private practice or a hospital-based specialist, so confirm your plan before booking.
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Johannesburg's Pediatric Care, Compared

# Business Rating Reviews Best for
1 Dr Michael Platten 5.0 ★ 155 General pediatrics / newborn care View ›
2 Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital (NMCH) 4.5 ★ 154 Hospital-level / specialist referrals View ›
3 Dr Daniel Azar Paediatrics 5.0 ★ 68 Newer practice / attentive one-on-one care View ›
4 Dr Maraschin - Paediatrician 4.6 ★ 61 Second opinions / neurodevelopment focus View ›
5 Dr Alison Baxter Paediatrician 4.6 ★ 47 Weekend and urgent availability View ›
5 Best Pediatricians in Johannesburg (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

Dr Michael Platten logo
#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Dr Michael Platten

5.0155 Google reviews

Dr Michael Platten practices at Life Bedford Gardens Hospital as part of Bedford Paediatrics, a group practice with a combined 50 years of experience among its doctors. His own focus includes newborn care, cardiology, and family support, following six years working exclusively with children in public hospitals before entering private practice. The clinic is set up specifically with young children in mind, down to the toys and games kept on hand.

What people praise

  • Reviewers consistently describe a calm, patient manner even with anxious or upset children
  • Praised for taking the time to negotiate with nervous kids rather than rushing exams
  • Parents who are medical professionals themselves specifically recommend him
  • The highest rating on this page
Reputation scorecardrank in Johannesburg
Rating5 / 5
Review volume155 · 98th
Confidencemoderate
Recency12 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown98% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A perfect rating built on detailed, repeat-visit reviews from parents, including several who are healthcare professionals themselves, which is a strong signal for a pediatrician.

Website+27116222771 Directions

7 Leicester Rd, Bedford Gardens, Bedfordview, 2007

Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital (NMCH) logo
#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital (NMCH)

4.5154 Google reviews

Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital is a dedicated pediatric hospital in Parktown offering specialist care beyond general pediatrics, including surgery and neurology, with reviewers naming multiple doctors across departments. As a hospital rather than a single practice, it serves as a referral point for more complex pediatric cases in the Johannesburg area.

What people praise

  • Reviewers describe successful outcomes on serious cases including surgery
  • Multiple named doctors and departments praised, from ENT to general admission
  • Nursing and security staff specifically called out as respectful and kind
  • Partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities noted for supporting families of admitted children

Worth knowing

  • As a larger hospital, some reviewers describe intake as involving more steps than a private practice visit
Reputation scorecardrank in Johannesburg
Rating4.5 / 5
Review volume154 · 93th
Confidencemoderate
Recency5 weeks ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown79% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The right call for specialist or hospital-level pediatric care, not routine check-ups, based on how many reviews describe surgical or urgent admissions.

Website+27101330600 Directions

6 Jubilee Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193

Dr Daniel Azar Paediatrics logo
#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Dr Daniel Azar Paediatrics

5.068 Google reviews

Dr Daniel Azar Paediatrics is a Bedford Gardens practice with a strong interest in neurodevelopment and neonatal care, according to the practice's own description. Dr. Azar delivers newborns and admits patients at Life Bedford Gardens Hospital, and reviewers describe him as accessible outside of normal office hours for questions and reassurance.

What people praise

  • Reviewers repeatedly mention being reachable by WhatsApp for follow-up questions
  • Praised for calm, unhurried explanations even for first-time, anxious parents
  • A perfect rating across every review collected so far
  • Parents travelling from further away describe the visit as worth the distance

Worth knowing

  • Fewer total reviews than the more established names on this page
Reputation scorecardrank in Johannesburg
Rating5 / 5
Review volume68 · 88th
Confidenceearly
Recency3 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown100% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A newer name with a spotless record so far, worth considering if the WhatsApp accessibility reviewers mention matters to how you want to reach your child's doctor.

Website+27100259985 Directions

Suite 1, Wingwood Place, 8 Leicester Rd, Bedford Gardens, Johannesburg, 2007

Dr Maraschin - Paediatrician logo
#4🕑 Open 5 days/wk

Dr Maraschin - Paediatrician

4.661 Google reviews

Dr Maraschin, known to patients as Dr Rico, practices in Morningside with a stated interest in neonatology, allergies, and ADHD alongside general pediatrics. Several reviewers specifically describe visiting for a second opinion after ongoing concerns with another provider, and his practice maintains an active blog and social presence with parenting advice.

What people praise

  • Reviewers describe him as thorough when giving a second opinion on an existing concern
  • Quick, decisive action described during a hospital admission for low oxygen levels
  • Praised for genuine interest in a child's development, not just the immediate complaint
  • Runs an active educational blog for parents

Worth knowing

  • A small number of reviews mention a rating below five stars without further detail
Reputation scorecardrank in Johannesburg
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume61 · 83th
Confidenceearly
Recency5 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown69% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: Worth considering specifically for second opinions or ongoing developmental concerns, which is what several of his reviews describe in detail.

Website+27117842729 Directions

Suite E1 Medical Centre C Rochester Place 173 Rivonia Road,, Morningside, Johannesburg, 2196

Dr Alison Baxter Paediatrician logo
#5🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Dr Alison Baxter Paediatrician

4.647 Google reviews

Dr Alison Baxter has practiced as a general pediatrician at Life Bedford Gardens Hospital since 1997, with training that included rotations through several major Johannesburg hospitals. Reviewers describe her responding to urgent, short-notice situations, including weekend fevers and hospital admissions, alongside her stated interests in asthma, allergies, and ADHD.

What people praise

  • Available on short notice for urgent weekend concerns, according to multiple reviewers
  • Credited by name in a review describing a critical newborn twin case
  • Long track record at the same hospital since 1997
  • Described as thorough and reassuring during hospital admissions

Worth knowing

  • Smallest review count on this page, though ratings are consistently strong
Reputation scorecardrank in Johannesburg
Rating4.6 / 5
Review volume47 · 73th
Confidenceearly
Recency7 months ago
Info completenesssite · phone · hours
Rating breakdown85% 5-star
✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A long-tenured pediatrician whose reviews describe real urgent-care moments handled well, even though the review count is the lowest on this page.

Website+27116224409 Directions

Life Bedford Gardens Hospital 7 Leicester Road Bedford Gardens, Bedfordview, Johannesburg, 2007

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Health information disclaimer: This directory is informational only and not medical advice. Rankings reflect publicly available Google ratings and review volume, not clinical outcomes. Verify any practitioner’s credentials and registration with the relevant medical board before booking.

How we score

Every number on this page is drawn from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the practice’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many parents have rated them, ranked against other Johannesburg pediatric providers. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a rating built on well over a hundred reviews carries more weight than the same rating from a much smaller base. Recency reflects how recently parents are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does a pediatrician visit cost in Johannesburg? (2026)

Pediatric consultation costs in Johannesburg depend heavily on whether your medical aid plan covers the visit in full, whether you are seeing a private practice or a hospital-based specialist, and what the appointment involves beyond a standard check-up. We don’t have a reliable, current source for specific Johannesburg pricing across every practice, so confirm your medical aid’s rate and any co-payment directly with the practice before booking.

Serving all of Johannesburg

The practices above cover Bedfordview, Parktown, and Morningside, reaching families across greater Johannesburg. Searching for a pediatrician near me? Every listing below shows a live phone number and address so you can find the closest option and call ahead.

What to ask before choosing a pediatrician

  • Which hospital does the pediatrician admit patients to if hospitalization is needed?
  • Is the practice covered by my medical aid plan, and what is the co-payment?
  • How are after-hours or weekend emergencies handled?
  • Does the practice offer a preferred way to reach the doctor between visits, such as WhatsApp or email?
  • What is the pediatrician’s specific area of interest or additional training, if any?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these pediatricians?

We started from real pediatricians and pediatric facilities in Johannesburg with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency, and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (July 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

When should I take my child to a hospital instead of a private pediatrician?

For urgent or complex issues, including suspected surgery, breathing difficulty, or serious injury, a dedicated pediatric hospital like Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital may be the right first call. For routine check-ups and ongoing care, a private practice is typically appropriate. When in doubt, call your pediatrician’s office for guidance.

Do these pediatricians deliver newborns?

Some of the practices listed here, including Dr Michael Platten and Dr Daniel Azar, mention attending newborn deliveries and admitting patients at Life Bedford Gardens Hospital. Confirm delivery and newborn care arrangements directly with the practice.

The bottom line

Dr Michael Platten is the safe default given his perfect rating and depth of detailed reviews, while Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital is the right call for anything beyond routine care. Confirm medical aid coverage before your first appointment either way.

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