Opening the renovated Area 561, on February 19, a dedicated transplant intensive care unit (ICU) at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, was MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and the First Rand Empowerment Foundation.

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The new facility is more than a physical upgrade; it is hope for over 200 patients currently waiting for a kidney transplant, as well as many others undergoing assessment for possible listing. The new facility is also a critical step towards establishing a sustainable public-sector liver transplant programme in Gauteng, to address the gap that has left unfunded patients reliant on private-sector access to life-saving organs.

@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital transplant manager Anja Meyer thanks the First Rand Empowerment Foundation for their contributions. Video: Asanda Matlhare #Rosebank #CharlotteMaxeke ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

The hospital’s CEO, Gladys Bogoshi, expressed her gratitude towards the First Rand Empowerment Foundation for the upgrade and betterment of the Transplant ICU.

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Mkhulu Selepe, COO of Health and Wellness in Gauteng, said: “Reducing waiting times and addressing backlogs has been a priority, and upgrading Area 561 into a dedicated transplant ICU and high-care unit is a strategic step towards ensuring equitable organ transplantation, and re-establishing a public-sector liver transplant programme for vulnerable communities.”

First Rand Empowerment Foundation marketing representative Kone Gugushe said the entity was grateful to have contributed as doners towards the hospital’s new care unit.

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