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 â 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
