‘Life Pod’ gives new life to organ donation in South Africa

In a first for Africa, a ground-breaking new medical unit called the 'Life Pod' has officially opened at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town.

Designed specifically to care for organ donors after brain death, the unit keeps their organs stable and healthy until they can be transplanted. 

It's said to be a major step forward in tackling one of South Africa’s biggest challenges in organ donation - the shortage of ICU beds.

“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,” said Professor André van der Merwe, Head of Transplant Surgery and Urology at Tygerberg Hospital.

The idea came from a group of medical students at Stellenbosch University. 

Moved by the stories of patients who died waiting for organs, they launched a non-profit called Save7. 

“Unfortunately, ICU beds are one of the most scarce medical resources in the country...That often means that donors are left by the wayside, and seven people who would have been saved by that donor have to go find somebody else...and they often don't," explained Jonty Wright, a fifth-year medical student and founder of Save7.

What began as a campus awareness campaign quickly grew into a hands-on project. 

They raised money, secured donated equipment, and worked closely with doctors and hospital staff to bring the 'Life Pod' to life.

With over 4,000 South Africans waiting for transplants and a donor rate among the lowest in the world, the 'Life Pod' could be a game-changer. 

It’s expected to help save more than 100 lives a year. 

The students behind the project are already looking ahead, with plans to roll out similar units in other provinces, starting with Gauteng.