A group of Stellenbosch University (SU) medical students is on a mission to establish a specialised intensive care unit (ICU) for organ donors at Tygerberg Hospital.
This dedicated unit, dubbed the Life Pod, aims to boost the hospital’s capacity for posthumous organ transplant significantly, potentially saving up to 100 lives annually.
The Life Pod, a first of its kind in Africa, will provide life support to consented organ donors to keep their organs viable until they can be harvested for transplantation. “This specialised unit will safely house donors for the 12- to 36-hour period before surgery, instead of letting their life-saving organs go to waste,” explains Naazim Nagdee, a fourth-year medical student and vice-president of Save7, a student-led NPO focused on organ donation awareness.
The students’ initiative stems from a personal experience. “We recently encountered a family desperately seeking a kidney for their six-year-old son,” says Suhayl Khalfey, manager of Save7’s Tygerberg Branch. “Tragically, the timing of the availability of organs and potential transplant did not align, and a vital opportunity for a transplant was missed. This Life Pod could prevent such losses in the future.”
The group of medical students, alongside faculty members from the Surgery and Internal Medicine departments, have identified a room in the hospital that could be converted into a Life Pod. They’ve received the green light from hospital administration and secured the support of departments crucial to the Life Pod’s day-to-day operations.
“The last hurdle is raising R400 000 to convert this room into a pop-up ICU,” explains Sachen Naidu, a core Save7 member. The NPO has partnered with The Health Foundation, a public health-care supporter that will match each rand raised by the students, putting them just R200 000 away from their goal.
Taking their commitment a step further, four students – Henri van der Westhuizen, Gerhard Niewoudt, Alexander van Wyk and Jonty Wright – will compete in the upcoming Ironman 70.3 in Nelson Mandela Bay this Sunday (21 April). Their campaign, aptly named Tri for Life, aims to raise awareness of the cause and garner vital funds for the Life Pod.
“We can’t wait until we’ve graduated to start helping the 5 000 South Africans waiting for transplants,” said Wright, who is president of Save7. “Recent national public-sector budget cuts have exacerbated the issue, with limited ICU beds adding to the loss of potential donors. Each donor represents up to seven lives that could be saved.”
Save7, established by Wright and his fellow students in 2021, was born from witnessing the heartbreak of families desperately awaiting organ donations. Their core message is powerful; by registering as an organ donor individuals have the potential to save seven lives after they die.
“Year after year we see patients deteriorating while waiting in vain for a life-saving organ,” he explains. “The realisation that a well-equipped and staffed room could be the key to getting these organs to those who need them most, and which was the catalyst for action. Together with Tygerberg Hospital staff we identified a suitable room and began mobilising.”
The students have already sourced all the necessary equipment for the Life Pod, including an ICU bed, monitors, a ventilator, and essential medical lines. Additionally, they have a network of volunteers ready to support the medical staff.
Professor Elmi Muller, dean of SU’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and president of international transplantation leader The Transplant Society, voiced her support for the Life Pod project. “In my experience as a transplant surgeon,” she said, “I have borne witness to the profound tragedy of organ shortages and the life-affirming joy experienced by patients and their families upon receiving a lifesaving organ.
“The establishment of this Life Pod will have a transformative impact on the lives of organ recipients, offering a beacon of hope and the very essence of life during their most critical moments. I commend the Save7 team for undertaking this crucial initiative and extend my unwavering support to this project.”
Professor André van der Merwe, head of Transplant Surgery and Urology at Tygerberg Hospital added: “This Life Pod represents a major advancement in our fight to save lives through organ donation. Witnessing the next generation of medical professionals leading this vital project with such passion and determination is truly inspiring.”
For more information about Save7, visit save7.org or connect with them om Instagram @savesevenlives.
