It’s home at last for SA’s first COVID-19 lung transplant patient
March 31, 2021
Dr Paul Williams, pulmonologist intensivist (left) and Dr Martin Sussman, cardiothoracic surgeon, who both practise at Netcare Milpark Hospital, admire baby Kuhle as her proud mother, Mbali and father, Sizwe look on.
‘All is well’ for Mbali and Baby Kuhle
An air of celebration surrounded 27-year-old Mbali Mbatha, as she was wheeled out of Netcare Milpark Hospital amidst applause from doctors, nurses and hospital staff who had come to wish her well when she recently left the facility to start what would be a very different life than what she led before.
Not only did the young mother from Winchester Hills in Johannesburg leave hospital with a three-month-old baby daughter – whom she met for the first time just a few weeks before – but she also left with a newly transplanted lung, having overcome one of deadliest viruses of the 21st century.
A 113-day COVID-19 journey
Mbali’s COVID-19 journey started more than 113 days prior on 23 November 2020, when the severely ill expectant mother was hospitalised in an effort to safeguard both her and her unborn child. Mbali’s condition however deteriorated and by 1 December her obstetrician was left with no choice but to deliver her baby at 30 weeks via emergency C-section.
Mbali credits this as one of the first in a series of major medical decisions that would have life-saving consequences not only for baby Kuhle, which means ‘all is well’, but also for her.
“I was shocked when the doctor told me that he needed to prepare for a C-section and operate immediately. When I realised that I would not be able to carry full term I was devastated. I phoned my husband, Sizwe who calmed me down and said I must let them take the baby out as it would be best for us. All I remember is the cold, it was terribly cold in the operating theatre. I felt so alone – my husband could not be with me. It was a very distressing experience, as I did not even see the baby... I gave birth to my little girl and I passed out,” recalls a tearful Mbali.
Dr Paul Williams, pulmonologist intensivist at Netcare Milpark Hospital relates the next steps: “Mbali was brought to Netcare Milpark Hospital, shortly after she had her baby. She was in serious danger as both her lungs were affected from top to bottom with pneumonia and she was not extracting oxygen from the air. We immediately had to escalate her treatment to a more sophisticated form of care than what would generally be needed by most patients with COVID-pneumonia.”
Cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Martin Sussman, says Mbali was in extremis and was taken straight from the ambulance into theatre where she was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which artificially maintains a supply of oxygen to the brain and other vital organs for patients who require either or both respiratory and cardiac support.
“ECMO is essentially an artificial lung. The circuit does the work of the lungs and that is how we kept Mbali alive while she had COVID-pneumonia,” explains Dr Sussman. “While Mbali eventually recovered from COVID-19 her lungs did not recover. One of the complications of COVID-19 is that it sometimes damages the lungs extensively. In Mbali’s case the damage was irreversible. Her only chance of survival was to receive a donor lung.”
A first for South Africa and the African continent?
Commenting on what appears to be a first for South African medicine, Dr Williams, who along with Dr Martin Sussman, led the lung transplant team performing Mbali’s surgery, says lung transplantation itself is a rare procedure for patients with established lung disease such as cystic fibrosis and other conditions. It is done only after all other treatments for lung failure are unsuccessful.
“COVID-19 is a new one for us though. We have had no experience in transplantation with this virus and we are fairly sure that we are the first team in South Africa to do it – perhaps we are even the first team on the African continent. Throughout the world there have been only around 100 lung transplants performed so far for COVID-19 pneumonia at a handful of facilities.”
“To be able to do a transplant on this young woman who is also a mother, was really something special. We did it for her and her baby. Being part of this remarkable team that can make this kind of difference is an immense honour,” notes Dr Williams.
Waking up in hospital after two months
According to Mbali her next memory after delivering her baby was waking up in Netcare Milpark Hospital, many weeks later.
“Some time after I woke up, I was told that I had been in a coma for two months and that I had a lung transplant. In fact, it seemed that there was very little hope I would survive. Had it not been for the exceptional medical care I received and for the lung transplant I would not be here today,” she says.
Despite everything she has gone through, Mbali has left Netcare Milpark Hospital with good memories and much to be thankful for: “The staff are very warm and caring. They ended up feeling like family. The encouragement that the nursing staff and doctors gave me on a daily basis really carried me through. They made me feel like everything was going to be ok.
“I am so thankful to be here today and that I have been given an opportunity to raise my daughter. I am grateful to the doctors and staff of Netcare Park Lane Hospital and Netcare Milpark Hospital. I am particularly grateful to the donor and the brave family for the gift of life, which ensured that I was given this second chance.
“My husband Sizwe has given me so much moral support and encouragement. He only ever had positive things to say. He was a constant source of inspiration throughout my recovery, and he kept telling me that I would walk out of the hospital. During the time that I have been in hospital my mother, Christine has been looking after my baby. While I am sad that I missed out on so much time with her, I am eternally thankful that my mother was there to care for her. More than anything I thank God for saving my life and giving me a second chance at life,” says Mbali.
In closing, Marc van Heerden, general manager of Netcare Milpark Hospital said: “Mbali’s discharge from Netcare Milpark Hospital is a proud moment for us. We are very grateful to the doctors, the nurses, the staff and the donor for giving this family a new chance in life.”
About ECMO
Having identified a tremendous need for the provision of specialised extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment, the Netcare Group has established a comprehensive integrated ECMO programme, which in addition to the ECMO rapid reaction transfer teams, has resulted in the establishment of dedicated ECMO centres of excellence at facilities such as Netcare Milpark Hospital, which houses the largest unit of this kind in the country.
In addition to the centre at Netcare Milpark Hospital, Netcare has over the last decade also established adult ECMO centres at Netcare Unitas Hospital in Centurion, Pretoria and UCT Private Academic Hospital in Cape Town. There is also a paediatric ECMO centre at Netcare Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg.
These centres are registered with the Extracorporeal Life Support Organisation [ELSO], which means they are benchmarked against other ECMO centres globally to ensure the highest quality of care. Large numbers of patients who require ECMO support are consequently referred to them from around the country.
International studies have shown that ECMO life support treatments are best undertaken at dedicated ECMO facilities, as they have the necessary expertise, experience and equipment available to successfully provide this form of therapy.
Early referral to an ECMO centre is critical to good outcomes and often to the very survival of patients who, for one reason or another, have failing or highly compromised respiratory or cardiovascular systems. Unfortunately, ECMO treatment in South Africa is still sometimes only called for when it is already too late for patients. They should be referred as soon as other life support systems, such as traditional ventilation, are no longer effectively sustaining the patient.
Mbali Mbatha and her husband Sizwe show off their baby daughter, Kuhle to Marc van Heerden, general manager of Netcare Milpark Hospital.
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With Rare Disease Day on the 28th of February 2025, the Rare Diseases Access Initiative (RDAI) is driving an evolution of the country’s healthcare, through innovative strategies to better care for over 4.2million people living with an estimated 7000 rare diseases. “As our healthcare system faces significant changes in the years ahead, it is vital that we also advocate for people living with rare diseases in South Africa, especially those with limited healthcare access,” said Kelly du Plessis, CEO of Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA), a member of RDAI. “As part of our ongoing research and awareness efforts, RDAI has conducted an initial analysis of the incidence and prevalence of rare diseases within the country.” This research will assist in improving access to healthcare, policy development, and patient advocacy, while giving critical insight into the challenges faced by patients. “According to research, some rare diseases affect fewer than 1 in a million people, while others, such as Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and haemophilia, have a more recognisable prevalence,” says Dr. Helen Malherbe, RDAI lead researcher on rare disease prevalence data. “Many conditions are undetected, underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, with too many having no information available about them at all.” The RDAI was formed in 2019 to promote a more favourable environment for those impacted by rare diseases in South Africa. 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Naturally, this model calls for the open participation of patients, the healthcare industry, health professionals, and the Government. “The most critical elements are robust diagnosis standards, improved access to treatment, data collection and management, co-ordination of care, measurement of outcomes and ongoing collaborative research,” du Plessis says. “We need to establish rare disease advisory committees, map gaps and opportunities, establish system requirements, create a roadmap and plan a phased implementation with clear timelines.” The RDAI states that these policy development steps would be a start in quantifying the disease burden and defining standards of care. This would be followed by building and strengthening the capacity to facilitate appropriate diagnosis, treatment, continuity and data monitoring. 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About RDAI The Rare Diseases Access Initiative (RDAI) is dedicated to advocating for improved healthcare access, policy development, and patient support for those affected by rare diseases in South Africa. The initiative brings together key healthcare stakeholders, including pharmaceutical associations, funders, genetic specialists, and patient advocacy groups, to drive impactful change. About RDSA Founded in 2013, Rare Diseases South Africa (RDSA) is a non-profit organisation advocating to ensure that people living with rare diseases and congenital disorders experience greater recognition, support, improved health service and better overall quality of life. Started out of personal need following the diagnosis of organisation founder, Kelly du Plessis' son, it became evident that there was a lack of awareness and support for rare diseases in general in South Africa. About IPASA The Innovative Pharmaceutical Association South Africa (IPASA) is a voluntary trade association representing 24 leading pharmaceutical companies committed to research, development, and innovation. Our mission is to drive healthcare advancement by advocating for policies that improve patient access to safe, high-quality, and affordable medicines.
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