Podcasts about Tygerberg Hospital

John Maytham is joined by Professor Norbert Ndjeka, Chief Director of TB Control and Management at South Africa’s National Department of Health, to spotlight the urgent yet under-recognised crisis of post-TB lung disease. With over 3 million TB survivors in the country and up to 500,000 living with severe lung damage, this condition remains largely invisible in healthcare planning and urgent action is needed to address it. Follow us on:CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalkCapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkzaCapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Saturday morning, Weekend Breakfast focuses on an area of 'wellness' - health, relationships, mental health, career, home - it's all about practicing healthy habits to attain better physical and mental health outcomes. CapeTalk’s Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined by Dr Desiree Moodley, a consultant at the Gastroenterology Unit at Tygerberg Hospital to talk about what your poo can reveal about your overall health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Maytham is joined by Dr Gugu Kali, Head of the Neonatology Clinical Unit at Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University, to discuss the high number of still born babies in South Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Maytham and Professor Derrick Smit, Associate Professor in the Division of Ophthalmology at the Department of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, discuss the ground-breaking artificial cornea procedures performed at Tygerberg Hospital. They highlight the life-changing impact on two patients who regained sight after years of blindness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textChildren under five years old are fragile. They're more vulnerable than adults to malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, and other infections. A growing number of these infections that sicken and kill children are resistant to the drugs developed to treat them – a phenomenon known as antimicrobial resistance, or AMR.AMR is a big killer. Nearly five million deaths are caused in part by drug-resistant infections each year. While the percentage of children killed by these infections has fallen greatly since 1990, hundreds of thousands still die. Vaccines can help.  So can infection control measures as simple as handwashing routines. Patients everywhere also need to be able to get the best antibiotics to treat their infections at the right time. These infections are often more difficult to treat in low- and middle-income countries in part because they have fewer staff to clean and to care for patients, less access to effective antibiotics, and crowded neonatal units, which can worsen the spread of germs. In a special edition of One World, One Health recorded for AMR Awareness Week, we spoke with Dr. Heather Finlayson, a Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at Stellenbosch University's Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.Listen as she tells us about her struggles fighting drug-resistant superbugs in the youngest of children.

Every Saturday morning, the Weekend Breakfast Show focuses on an area of 'wellness' - health, relationships, mental health, career, home - it's all about practicing healthy habits to attain better physical and mental health outcomes. Sara-Jayne Makwala King speaks to  Andrew Oberholzer, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Dr Pieter Spies, Senior Urologist at Tygerberg Hospital. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fascinating way our ears operate is the subject of this week's People of Note. I'll be talking to James Loock, Professor of ENT at Tygerberg Hospital, and Jenny Perold an audiologist also at Tygerberg about the remarkable technology of Cochlear Implants, that allows severely and profoundly deaf people to hear again.

Lester Kiewit learns about the mission of Prof James Loock, a healthcare practitioner specializing as an Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgeon (ENT), who is passionately raising funds for Alice, a young girl in need of a cochlear implant to restore her hearing. Suryn Lombaard, Chief Audiologist at Tygerberg Hospital and a representative of HearUs NPO, joins the conversation to elaborate on the organization's efforts to support individuals like Alice, to intervene and prevent long-term developmental and psychological impacts, and to advocate for increased awareness and support for hearing healthcare in South Africa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Dr Ayanda Mguni | A pulmonologist who is head of the department of internal medicine at the Khayelitsha District Hospital, and a consultant in the same department at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Requests for proposals (RFPs) to redevelop the Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town are expected to go out next year, says Western Cape government Department of Health and Wellness communication deputy director Mark van der Heever. "This megaproject aims to improve health infrastructure for the people of the Western Cape by replacing the current inefficient and ageing Tygerberg Hospital - which has become increasingly costly to maintain - with two modern, efficient facilities equipped with 21st century technology." Tygerberg Hospital is a tertiary hospital located in Parow. The hospital was officially opened in 1976 and is the largest hospital in the Western Cape and the second largest in South Africa. It acts as a teaching hospital, in conjunction with Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. The decision to redevelop the hospital was made by the provincial cabinet in 2009 already, at a then estimated cost of R5-billion, excluding equipment. "Due to the size and complexity of the hospital, its redevelopment is classified as a megaproject, and the support of not only provincial, but also national stakeholders is required," says Van der Heever. The feasibility study of the project was approved in November 2022, and is currently "in the procurement stage of the public-private partnership (PPP) cycle", he adds. "This stage involves determining the output requirements to formulate the request for proposals, which is expected to be advertised in 2024. "Should all things go according to plan, the new Central Hospital is expected to be operational by 2031." The new Central Hospital will be a new 893-bed tertiary facility on the Tygerberg Hospital estate, "thereby maintaining the facility's close linkages with higher education institutions for training health professionals and technologists", says Van der Heever. A second facility will be a new 596-bed Regional Hospital, offering Level 1 and 2 services on a site procured for this purpose at Belhar. Tygerberg Hospital will be maintained, and will remain operational until the new Central Hospital and the Belhar Hospital are operational, says Van der Heever.

OM HealsQuantum physics reveals that we are 99.9999% energy and only .00001% physical matter. When we flow, move, and balance blocked energies we hold, then our mind, body and soul return to its natural state of well being.We are committed to matching you with the best possible energy meta-cine practitioners to support your wellness with our customized algorithm. After each energy session, we will ask for your feedback on how well we are matchmaking you with energy practitioners so we may serve you as best as we can.Visit om-heals.com to learn more and to get started today! Welcome to the show the multi-talented Miguel Ribeiro, author of Beyond Darwin, The Program Hypothesis. The narrative of Miguel's book challenges the notion of transitioning from certainty to uncertainty, highlighting the complexities that lie in the unexplored realms of science.Are humans merely divine computer programs? This thought-provoking concept delves into the idea that our existence may be part of a grand design, prompting readers to question their place in the cosmic symphony.Then the question of free will inevitably arises. How can individuals possess autonomy if everything is pre-programmed? The dichotomy between fate and free will serves as a captivating centerpiece, keeping readers engrossed in the narrative's philosophical complexity.In his book, Miguel weaves together scientific discoveries, philosophical inquiry, and profound contemplation, inviting readers to embark on a transformative journey that questions the very fabric of existence and the Universe itself.In this interview with Miguel, you'll discover:-The inspiration behind writing Beyond Darwin...02:00-You can't go from certainty to uncertainty...07:15-"Coincidences" that cannot be explained in the realm of Darwinian science...10:30-All scientific norms are being challenged...15:00-Are humans simply divine computer programs?...19:45-Do we have free will when we believe everything is pre-programmed?...25:25-Why the Universe is not entirely random...29:50-And much more...Resources mentioned:Beyond Darwin, The Program HypothesisAbout the guest:Miguel Ribeiro was born in Lisbon, 18 August 1952. MDHe is Fellow of the College of Physicians of South Africa and worked as a consultant in Internal Medicine at Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town. He is currently medical director of CMIL (Clínica Médica Internacional de Lisboa).Author of the books“Universo Programado, uma alternativa ao Darwinismo e à religião”, Gradiva, Oct 2013.“Beyond Darwin, the Program Hypothesis”, Amazon.com, Oct 2018; second edition June 2019.Photographer (miguelribeiro.net) One-man exhibitions Berliner Medizinhistorisches Museum, Berlin, Oct 2003–Feb 2004; “Abstract Body” IPSAR, Rome, June 2010; “Abstract Body”, Societa Umanitaria, Milan, Sept 2010; and also, one-man shows in Lisbon, Pretoria and Cape Town.Group exhibitions “The Century of the Body”, L'Elisée Museum, Lausanne, Sept–Dec 2000; Paris Photo 2002; “Parole de Peau”, Musée de la Civilisation, Quebec, Nov 2002–Jul 2003; Bienal de Nancy, April 2006. “Beauty, what for” Buenos Aires, winter 2006. “Darkside II”, Fotomuseum Winterthur, 2009.Books: “The Century of the Body”“Sleep”2005 and 2011 calendars of the Buhl Collection (USA)“Darkside II”, 2009“The Body”Magazines and...

Using aminoglycosides to treat infections often causes major distress amongst clinicians. Here we talk about how they should be used appropriately, in the hopes that we may calm some of this anxiety.About our Guest: Dr Veshni Pillay-Fuentes Lorente obtained an MBChB degree at Walter Sisulu University in 2010. Thereafter, completed a 2-year internship at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban. Worked as a community service medical officer at the former Gordonia Hosptial, Upington. Thereafter, worked as a medical officer over a 4 year period in Internal Medicine at Dr Harry Surtie Hospital, Upington. Completed a 2 year post-graduate diploma in Medicines Development between 2016 - 2017 with the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at Stellenbosch University. Obtained a Masters of Medicine in Clinical Pharmacology and completed a 4-year clinical pharmacology training programme before qualifying as a Specialist Clinical Pharmacologist in 2021. Employed at present as a Clinical Pharmacologist in Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. Currently an applied pharmacometrics training fellow (APT program) and a PhD candidate in Stellenbosch University Cape Town. My interests are PK in special populations and dose optimization through pharmacometrics. 14847795@sun.ac.zaTwitter: @JennalPillayhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5365-0320isit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comFacebook: Microbe Mail Instagram: Microbe_Mail Twitter: @microbemail

Africa is joined by Dr Jenny Edge, Head breast and endocrine unit at Tygerberg Hospital and Brigitta Kepkey, Coordinator of the Doctoral and Postdoctoral Office at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science at Stellenbosch University to talk about their research on Breast Cancer and why South African women find it hard to stick to treatment options. Dr Jenny and Brigitta says that there were personal, environmental, and structural factors that influenced a patient's ability to be adherent. These included access to transport, socioeconomic level, and social support.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nurse Cecilia Kobus from the Tygerberg Hospital's Cardiothoracic surgery ICUis retiring  after 44 years of service.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Dr Tim Forgan, a sub-specialist in surgery and the main surgeon in the series of colorectal operations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: urologist Dr. Pieter Spies to discuss the groundbreaking therapy procedure that has been performed by his team at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital.  The procedure is performed by himself alongside Prof André van der Merwe, the renowned surgeon who performed the world's first successful penis transplant in 2014. The first Rezum water vapour therapy procedure for Benign prostatic hyperplasia in South Africa offers hope to the large percentage of men      suffering urinary problems due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Jason Falken | CEO at Tygerberg Hospital Children's Trust The Tygerberg Hospital Children's Trust's (THCT) Tutu Tygers has partnered with the Dean of the St George's Cathedral, Father Michael Weeder, to commemorate Trust patron Archbishop Desmond Tutu's landmark 90th birthday. The TCHT is a fundraising body supporting mother and child patients at Tygerberg Hospital, one of the African continent's biggest providers of paediatric and critical care for more than 60% of the Western Cape's child and mom patients. A host of activities are scheduled to honour the Tutus' two decades of tireless philanthropic work in support of the hospital's paediatric patients See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tracey Lange chats to Jason Falken, CEO of the Tygerberg Hospital Children's Trust about The Latchon! Breastmilk Drive that took place during World Breastfeeding Week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to all #ThePaedipdosCast Listeners - thank you to all for getting us to 10K DONWLOADS!!! In Episode 22, paedipods podcast host Mr Pranai Buddhdev, Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon from London / Essex UK sits with Dr Mari Thiart from Tygerberg hospital / Stellenbosch University near Cape Town, South Africa. We talk all about her journey into orthopaedics, her training including her times spent at Southampton Hospital UK, and what led her to a career in Paediatric Orthopaedics. We talk about the pathology seen in South Africa, the impact of COVID and training in the Africa as well as her role in founding the South African Female Orthopaedic Surgeons Society (SAFOSS). We also talk about the newly form International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance and the role of mentorship in addition to a fierce debate on Formula One! Useful Links: Dr Mari Thiart: https://za.linkedin.com/in/mari-thiart-22b1a21a2 IODA Website: https://www.orthopaedicdiversity.org Tune in next month for our next episode and follow us on social media (Twitter/Instagram) @Pranai_B @paedipods @thekidsbonedoc

The Department of Basic Education has announced that all contact sports at schools are to be suspended with immediate effect. It goes on to say that non-contact sports training can continue provided that all social distancing, hygiene, and safety measures are observed and that there is no physical contact between participants. The department says this is because it appears that, despite following safety protocols, contact sports events still contribute to the spread of the virus. It adds that it will continue to monitor the situation. We get comment from Tygerberg Hospital paediatrician, Dr Mark Cotton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Jason Falken | CEO of Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust...  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why did Tito go off script during his Medium Term Budget Speech? Were his comments about Tygerberg Hospital unethical, and how much power does he have in reality? Is SAA a distraction, or simply a failing SOE? It's important to keep an eye on the Zondo Commission so you are better informed for elections. How do we deal with debt and taxes? And the team takes bets on who will win the US election. Nando's · The Burning Platform

BizNews — Professor Ian Vlok, neuroscientist and neurosurgeon at Tygerberg Hospital, follows up with BizNews founder Alec Hogg on the management of Covid-19 infections at Tygerberg Hospital in the Western Cape. During their previous discussion in May, Prof Vlok explained how the hospital had been preparing for the anticipated tidal wave of Covid-19 infections. Now, with the Covid-19 wave upon them, he is cautiously optimistic that Cape Town and the Western Cape have plateaued, albeit in the form of a 'table mountain type' curve. Discussing the low mortality rate in South Africa, Prof Vlok suggests that perhaps it is partly because South Africans are 'just a bunch of tough guys' who have been primed for this by decades of perpetual illness which has plagued our society. - Nadya Swart

BizNews — Professor Ian Vlok, neuroscientist and neurosurgeon at Tygerberg Hospital, follows up with BizNews founder Alec Hogg on the management of Covid-19 infections at Tygerberg Hospital in the Western Cape. During their previous discussion in May, Prof Vlok explained how the hospital had been preparing for the anticipated tidal wave of Covid-19 infections. Now, with the Covid-19 wave upon them, he is cautiously optimistic that Cape Town and the Western Cape have plateaued, albeit in the form of a 'table mountain type' curve. Discussing the low mortality rate in South Africa, Prof Vlok suggests that perhaps it is partly because South Africans are 'just a bunch of tough guys' who have been primed for this by decades of perpetual illness which has plagued our society. - Nadya Swart

In episode 61 of Inside Covid-19, independent economic and political analyst, UCT professor Richard Calland, assesses how the SA government has handled the pandemic thus far; highlights from two powerful but sobering interviews exploring conditions on the Western Cape's frontline, first with Dr Ross Hofmeyr from Groote Schuur who takes us into his exhausting world, and then neurosurgeon Prof Ian Vlok of Tygerberg Hospital who explains why the liquor ban is cheered by health workers – but increased capacity in taxis, not so much. - Alec Hogg

In episode 61 of Inside Covid-19, independent economic and political analyst, UCT professor Richard Calland, assesses how the SA government has handled the pandemic thus far; highlights from two powerful but sobering interviews exploring conditions on the Western Cape's frontline, first with Dr Ross Hofmeyr from Groote Schuur who takes us into his exhausting world, and then neurosurgeon Prof Ian Vlok of Tygerberg Hospital who explains why the liquor ban is cheered by health workers – but increased capacity in taxis, not so much. - Alec Hogg

BizNews — In episode 61 of Inside Covid-19, independent economic and political analyst, UCT professor Richard Calland, assesses how the SA government has handled the pandemic thus far; highlights from two powerful but sobering interviews exploring conditions on the Western Cape’s frontline, first with Dr Ross Hofmeyr from Groote Schuur who takes us into his exhausting world, and then neurosurgeon Prof Ian Vlok of Tygerberg Hospital who explains why the liquor ban is cheered by health workers – but increased capacity in taxis, not so much. - Alec Hogg

BizNews — In episode 61 of Inside Covid-19, independent economic and political analyst, UCT professor Richard Calland, assesses how the SA government has handled the pandemic thus far; highlights from two powerful but sobering interviews exploring conditions on the Western Cape’s frontline, first with Dr Ross Hofmeyr from Groote Schuur who takes us into his exhausting world, and then neurosurgeon Prof Ian Vlok of Tygerberg Hospital who explains why the liquor ban is cheered by health workers – but increased capacity in taxis, not so much. - Alec Hogg

Guest: Dr. Brian Allwood | A pulmonologist at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and an intensive care specialist in the Covid-19 ICU at Tygerberg Hospital.

Trade unions FEDUSA and HOSPERSA say the Department of Health in the Western Cape needs to shutdown certain parts of the Tygerberg Hospital in order to clean and sanitise.The also say healthcare workers have no access to personal protective equipment (PPE's) and that both visitors and patients walk around and enter the hospital without being checked, and that there is no sanitizer or social distancing enforced. This comes after a fourth nurse from Tygerberg Hospital succumbed to the virus. To discuss this further Udo Carelse spoke to Chief of Operations in the Department of Health in the Western Cape Dr Saadiq Kariem

BizNews — The Western Cape is starting to limit testing for the coronavirus to people over the age of 55 and for those with risk factors. It was adopted due to a backlog and shortage in test kits. The province has nearly two-thirds of the coronavirus cases in the country. The assistant manager and clinical pharmacist at Tygerberg hospital George Muntingh told Biznews that they have seen an increase in admissions and people arriving for tests since the easing of the lockdown. But Mr Muntingh said due to the measures they put in place at the beginning of the outbreak; they are coping with the increase. He said the Western Cape appeared to be three weeks ahead of the rest of the country. - Linda van Tilburg

BizNews — The Western Cape is starting to limit testing for the coronavirus to people over the age of 55 and for those with risk factors. It was adopted due to a backlog and shortage in test kits. The province has nearly two-thirds of the coronavirus cases in the country. The assistant manager and clinical pharmacist at Tygerberg hospital George Muntingh told Biznews that they have seen an increase in admissions and people arriving for tests since the easing of the lockdown. But Mr Muntingh said due to the measures they put in place at the beginning of the outbreak; they are coping with the increase. He said the Western Cape appeared to be three weeks ahead of the rest of the country. - Linda van Tilburg

In episode 31 of Inside Covid 19, an in-depth interview with neurosurgeon Prof Ian Vlok on Tygerberg Hospital's Covid-19 robots – and why local medics believe the country needs to urgently open up; a warning by the actuaries at Panda that the unintended consequences of the lockdown will kill 29 times more people than the virus; how the new world of office work will be very different to the pre-Covid-19 norm; and a message to struggling companies from a business rescue practitioner who advises them to take the tough decisions sooner rather than later. - Alec Hogg

In episode 31 of Inside Covid 19, an in-depth interview with neurosurgeon Prof Ian Vlok on Tygerberg Hospital's Covid-19 robots – and why local medics believe the country needs to urgently open up; a warning by the actuaries at Panda that the unintended consequences of the lockdown will kill 29 times more people than the virus; how the new world of office work will be very different to the pre-Covid-19 norm; and a message to struggling companies from a business rescue practitioner who advises them to take the tough decisions sooner rather than later. - Alec Hogg

BizNews — Alec Hogg engages in a dynamic discussion with Professor Ian Vlok, neuroscientist and neurosurgeon at Tygerberg Hospital, who introduces us to Quintin - 'the robot' with the potential to decrease the risk for medical practitioners while increasing their virtual presence with patients during the Covid crisis. Professor Vlok furthermore believes that the lockdown has granted the medical professionals at Tygerberg Hospital with time which they have utilised in order to be as prepared as they can be for the anticipated tidal wave of Covid-19 infections to come. - Nadya Swart

BizNews — Alec Hogg engages in a dynamic discussion with Professor Ian Vlok, neuroscientist and neurosurgeon at Tygerberg Hospital, who introduces us to Quintin - 'the robot' with the potential to decrease the risk for medical practitioners while increasing their virtual presence with patients during the Covid crisis. Professor Vlok furthermore believes that the lockdown has granted the medical professionals at Tygerberg Hospital with time which they have utilised in order to be as prepared as they can be for the anticipated tidal wave of Covid-19 infections to come. - Nadya Swart

BizNews — In episode 31 of Inside Covid 19, an in-depth interview with neurosurgeon Prof Ian Vlok on Tygerberg Hospital’s Covid-19 robots – and why local medics believe the country needs to urgently open up; a warning by the actuaries at Panda that the unintended consequences of the lockdown will kill 29 times more people than the virus; how the new world of office work will be very different to the pre-Covid-19 norm; and a message to struggling companies from a business rescue practitioner who advises them to take the tough decisions sooner rather than later.

BizNews — In episode 31 of Inside Covid 19, an in-depth interview with neurosurgeon Prof Ian Vlok on Tygerberg Hospital’s Covid-19 robots – and why local medics believe the country needs to urgently open up; a warning by the actuaries at Panda that the unintended consequences of the lockdown will kill 29 times more people than the virus; how the new world of office work will be very different to the pre-Covid-19 norm; and a message to struggling companies from a business rescue practitioner who advises them to take the tough decisions sooner rather than later.

As scientists rush to find a way to tackle COVID-19, some think an old and widely used vaccine for tuberculosis could be an answer. The BCG vaccine is still routinely given in many countries, and there’s evidence that it might protect against the novel coronavirus. We speak with scientists in South Africa, the U.S. and Canada on the latest research.In this episode:Dr. Nokawanda Sithole from Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa; Dr. Gonzalo Otazu from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine; Dr. Madhu Pai from McGill University in Montreal, Canada; and Professor Andreas Diacon, from TASK in Cape Town, South Africa.For more:Where does the world stand on a coronavirus vaccine?Scientists search for effective COVID-19 treatmentsDoctor's Note: Why will it take so long for a COVID-19 vaccine?Connect with The Take: Twitter (@AJTheTake), Instagram (@ajthetake) and Facebook (@TheTakePod).

Here's the Producer's Cut of the full Rational Radio show hosted by Alec Hogg on Wednesday, 11 September, 2019. In the lineup: Naspers listing in Amsterdam this morning - commentary from Naspers FD Basil Sgourdos who was there when the bell was rung. More on the debate around Discovery allegedly overstating its assets with SA's financial services icon Kokkie Kooyman of Denker Capital. Investment markets with David Shapiro who praises Naspers but had some very different thoughts about Sasol, Aspen and Old Mutual. Lawyer Michael Bagraim on the tale of three young medical doctors at the Tygerberg Hospital - one of whom was fired and two others suspended - when they retrieved a couple of chairs from the hospital's dump to fix and use in the doctor's tea room. Plus the uplifting story of social entrepreneur Gary Hopkins whose "I Love Coffee" franchise is helping to change prospects for deaf people, one barista at a time.

Urology specialist Prof Andre van der der Merwe heads up the Tygerberg Hospital unit, and he was moved after seeing the desperate plight of young men filling the wards every year. He became convinced he could successfully carry out the world’s first penile transplant.

For couples struggling to have a baby, IVF or in vitro fertility treatment is a potential solution – but it is exorbitantly expensive and usually out of reach for most middle class people, never mind those in lower income groups. Now the Gynecology and Obstetrics unit at Tygerberg Hospital headed up by fertility specialist Dr Thabo Matsaseng is offering affordable IVF to couples.

Claudia Hammond exposes a hidden problem which occurs before life has even begun. Nosiphiwo was ostracised by her husband’s family in South Africa after years of trying, in vain, for a baby. Stories like Nosiphiwo’s, of social stigma and even physical abuse and destitution, are common in low-income countries, where most of the millions of infertile women in the world reside. While programmes tackle the causes of infertility, such as preventing and treating sexually transmitted infections, calls to provide affordable fertility services have been overlooked by agencies which tend to focus on the problem of over population. Claudia visits Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town where infertility treatment is being offered at a fraction of the cost of private clinics. Programme Director, Dr Matsaseng, is pioneering differing ways to keep costs down, from using cheaper medications in smaller amounts, to taking on the jobs of several staff himself, texting and supporting patients through each stage of their cycle to co-ordinate their treatments. The next step is to find a way to take low-cost infertility treatment to rural areas. But this requires a laboratory. The Walking Egg Project, a shoe-box sized portable laboratory for performing IVF, could provide the answer. By the start of 2014, sixteen babies had been born using the system and the team in South Africa now hope to trial it at the hospital.