August 2022 – Lenmed Ethekwini Private Hospital and Heart Centre has discharged a recovering patient after undergoing a successful heart transplant.

Mr de Bruyn had been waiting for a heart transplant when his health started deteriorating rapidly on the 17 July 2022 and his family sought to have him admitted. Incredibly, the hospital called, not only to confirm the admission, but to advise that a matching heart had been found and was on its way. He needed to prepare himself for a transplant.

The life-saving surgery took place the same evening, by Dr Robbie Kleinloog, “The procedure went very well and was a great success, the patient was taken to recover in ICU after about 4 hours in theatre, we wish him the very best with the rest of his recovery.” Mr de Bruyn was discharged after spending 14 days recovering in hospital.

August is organ donor month, which further deepens the significance of this transplant program and the lifesaving opportunities organ donation provides. As Lenmed CEO, Amil Devchand conveys, “we never lose site of the donor and the donor family and their tremendous loss. We acknowledge the lifesaving gift that has been given in the face of parting with a loved one and extend our condolences and gratitude to all donor families”.

Lenmed’s Trauma, Emergency and Transplant Manager, René Ackermann said that “Lenmed is very excited to be providing this life-changing treatment and will work closely with all stakeholders ensuring we continue to improve the health of our communities”. Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre CEO, Niresh Bechan added, “It is the provision of exceptional clinical outcomes and patient experience that makes the difference and what gets us up every morning, by getting our patients back to their lives and their families healthier and stronger, we are creating healthier and prosperous communities”.

This organ donor month, the team encourages everyone to consider becoming an organ donor, you may have the opportunity to save numerous lives and change the lives of many families in the country. This month, we

honour all organ donors and their families and the lives they have saved in the face of their own deep loss. Register with the Organ Donor Foundation and you can potentially save seven lives – https://odf.org.za/.

Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre is part of the Lenmed Group, who owns and manages 17 hospitals in 4 countries, and has recently been accredited by the American College of Cardiology, a first in Africa.