Gauteng academic hospitals report transplant activity over five years

Where the operations took place

The Department said Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital recorded 125 transplant recipients between 2021 and 2026, comprising 71 kidney and 54 liver transplant recipients. It also reported that Steve Biko Academic Hospital recorded 31 kidney transplant recipients during the same reporting period.

Collaboration expanded transplant access

Gauteng Health’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital expanded its transplant activity through collaboration with Steve Biko Academic Hospital. He noted that in 2026 two kidney transplants were performed through this collaboration, which the Department described as demonstrating the value of cooperation between the province’s academic hospitals.

Department pushes organ donation awareness

The Department emphasised the life-changing potential of organ transplantation for patients with organ failure and said it is promoting organ donation as an intervention that can improve quality of life.

“As part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness about organ donation, the Department uses a range of communication channels to reach communities across the province. These include social media, mainstream media, community and campus radio, as well as other public awareness platforms,” Mabona said.

The Department said its communication efforts have reached thousands of people with information on organ donation, encouraging members of the public to consider becoming organ donors and providing guidance on how to register. Its awareness work has included educational content and patient-centred stories intended to help communities understand the impact of organ donation and the difference becoming a donor can make.

Ongoing goals

The Department said it will continue to strengthen public awareness on organ donation while supporting collaboration between its academic hospitals to enhance access to specialised healthcare services.

“Organ donation has the potential to save lives and transform the lives of patients and their families. Therefore, we encourage residents to learn more about organ donation, consider registering as donors, and help create a culture of donation that can give hope to patients waiting for life-saving transplants,” Mabona said.