After years of struggling to secure a liver perfusion technology-driven machine, the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC) has officially unveiled the state-of-the-art technology, the first of its kind in South Africa and on the continent.
At the launch on Thursday, WDGMC said this will transform the future of liver transplants amidst a growing waiting list that has left over 4,000 patients yearning for organ transplants nationwide.
On Thursday, during the gathering of medical professionals at the WDGMC headquarters in Parktown, the potential of this new machine was lauded, with experts asserting its importance in both extending donor organ viability and enhancing patient outcomes.
Currently, more than 600 patients await kidney transplants, and 30 individuals are on the liver transplant list at WDGMC, highlighting the urgent need for advanced technological interventions in the transplant process.
Transplant surgeon, Dr Sharan Rambaran, one of the prominent figures behind the initiative, expressed optimism regarding the machine’s impact on liver preservation and transplantation.
“This technology changes the level of information we have available before transplantation. By allowing the transplant teams to better maintain organ viability, the machine has the potential to increase organ utilisation, reduce complications, and improve transplant outcomes for patients who may otherwise not survive the wait,” he said.
Winston Baatjies, a liver transplant recipient has detailed his journey through recovery following his successful liver transplant over five years ago with the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC).
The liver perfusion machine acts as a lifeline for donor livers, keeping the organ functioning outside of the body. At the same time, clinicians can thoroughly assess, monitor, and actively improve the organ’s condition before transplantation.
This crucial process not only enhances the quality of the donated organ but may also significantly reduce postoperative complications, leading to shorter hospital stays and improved recovery times for patients.
Dr Bilal Bobat, transplant hepatologist and a key advocate for the machine, confirmed the expected benefits.
“Too many of our patients in South Africa deteriorate while waiting for a transplant because there are not enough donor organs available,” he noted.
The introduction of the liver perfusion machine could very well address this grave concern, ultimately allowing WDGMC to safely transplant a larger number of livers.
Professor Jerome Loveland, head of solid organ transplantation at WDGMC, reiterated the transformative potential of this technology.
“The unveiling of the liver perfusion machine provides us with a vital opportunity to receive more donor organs and enhance the number of livers that can be transplanted with confidence,” he remarked.
The Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC) has officially unveiled revolutionary state-of-the-art technology for liver transplants.
Winston Baatjies, who successfully underwent a liver transplant procedure, commended the team for having successfully procured the life-saving machine, adding that his own experience speaks volumes about the potential for a new lease on life afforded by medical advancements.
“I was always into sports and tried to stay healthy. Post-transplant, I was able to go back to sports. This shows that there is life after the transplant, and for me, the journey after the transplant is far better than the journey before the transplant,” he said.
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