/ 23 July 2003

SA designs world-first blood packs

In what is believed to be a world first — and a significant breakthrough for the healthcare industry, The Global Competitiveness Centre at the University of Stellenbosch has designed special blood packs which can be used by patients waiting for heart transplants.

At the same time UCT’s Cardiovascular Research Unit (CVRU) is developing artificial hearts that can be used to support patients while waiting for a heart transplant or major heart surgery.

Kristian Schevre, operations manager at the Global Competitiveness Centre, described the blood packs and artificial hearts as a “significant breakthrough” for the healthcare industry. – I-Net Bridge