[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

28 November 2007

On 3 December this year, Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town (UCT) will be celebrating 40 years since the first successful human heart transplant by Professor Christiaan Neethling Barnard and his team of medical professionals. Forty years later, the Chris Barnard Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town, continues to perpetuate the tradition of surgical excellence, patient care, teaching and research.

A series of activities have been planned to commemorate the day, 3 December 1967, when the first heart transplantation was performed at the Groote Schuur Hospital, led by UCT alumnus and world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and academic, Professor Barnard. The main activities include:

* an expo on heart transplantation: Journey of the Heart
* an academic seminar with the topic: Healthcare challenges in Africa
* the opening of the Heart of Cape Town Museum
* a gala dinner to be addressed by the National Health Minister, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and the Western Cape Premier, Mr Ebrahim Rasool.

In the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the first heart transplant, Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town acknowledge one of the greatest moments in medical history when Christiaan Barnard held the hearts and the hopes of the world in his hands.

Groote Schuur Hospital boasts 516 heart transplants to date with the longest living patient doing well 28 years after this operation. The first heart transplant 40 years ago placed Groote Schuur Hospital in the world's spotlight and brought huge respect and admiration for our medical abilities. We are inspired to honour this legacy as we move forward towards the future" says Pierre Uys, Minister for Health in the Western Cape.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UCT, Professor Njabulo S Ndebele says, "The celebration of the 40th anniversary of the heart transplant reminds us of our responsibility to ensure that our research, teaching and service improves our quality of life, particularly in the field of health sciences." Prof Ndebele adds that, "being a research-led institution, UCT is striving to reach greater heights globally, while we also want our research outputs and expertise to benefit the lives of people in our surrounding communities."

Minister Uys says, "It is both fitting for Groote Schuur Hospital, the Department of Health and the University of Cape Town to pay tribute to the work of Professor Barnard and his team by ensuring that the same courage, dedication to patient care, academic excellence and innovation are fostered by present and future generations of cardiac specialists".

List of activities

Members of the media are invited to the activities listed below in activity sheet!

Please liaise with the relevant contact person for the events you wish to cover.

Activity plan – 40th anniversary of heart transplantation

"Journey of the Heart"
Time: 07h00 to 20h00
Venue: Groote Schuur Hospital, west wing
Contact person:
Heather Engelbrecht
Cell: 082 562 5521

South African Broadcasting Corporation Morning Live
Time: 06h00 to 08h00
Venue: Groote Schuur Hospital Building
Contact person:
Leigh Pollio
Cell: 082 872 7742

Celebratory tea for transplant patients
Time: 11h30 to 12h30
Venue: Groote Schuur Cardiothoracic and Heart Transplant Department
Contact person:
Leigh Pollio
Cell: 082 872 7742

Academic seminar: healthcare challenges in Africa
Time: 14h00 to 16h00
Venue: Lecture theatre 2, Groote Schuur Hospital
Contact person:
Dineo Noganta
Cell: 082 449 7344
Thenjiwe Kona
Cell: 082 883 7052

Official opening of the heart of Cape Town Museum
Time: 17h30 to 18h30
Venue: Groote Schuur Hospital, F-Floor, Old Building
Contact person:
Leigh Pollio
Cell: 082 872 7742

Gala Dinner

Address by: Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and Premier Ebrahim Rasool
Contact person: Hennie Joubert
Cell: 082 800 0222

Launch of Hamilton Naki Scholarship
Time: 19h00
Venue: Groote Schuur Hospital: Clarendon house residence
Contact person:
Leigh Pollio
Cell: 082 872 7742

Issued by: Department of Health, Western Cape Provincial Government
28 November 2007
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)

ThandiD