On December 3, 1967 the World’s first human to human heart transplant was performed at the renowned Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. The operation was considered a succes and a medical milestone. The man who performed this feat of pioneering surgery and led the world into an era of sopisticated medical advances was Christiaan Barnard, the surgeon who dared. (tourist leaflet)
I knew that Christiaan Barnard, from the familie-tree Barnard (we lost the “h” apparently somewhere in france a couple of ages ago) lived in South-Africa, but still by coincidence I happen to pass his memorial museum in Cape Town. I decided to have a look.
The Heart of Cape Town Museum only recently reconstructed the whole setting “as on Dec 3″. The people who performed the operation (!) even prepared the reconstruction of the items and apparatus. Moreover, installation of even more rooms with artifacts and film is planned. I’m still puzzled how Christiaan managed to finish his 7 year Phd and a Masters within just 2 years while also earning his student wage with car washing and dating up his wife. Maybe this explains how he came up with the term “braindead”, being very tired at the end of each day? Anyway, I can recommend anyone who’s nearby to have a look. Its a rare opportunity to stand this close to a real operation room, with historic significance.
Below some audio of him about this first operation.
