Dr Wilhelm Lichtenberg, founder of Young Hearts Africa, has been honoured with the Every Heartbeat Matters Award for his exceptional work in providing life-saving surgeries to South African children with congenital heart disease.
Cape Town, South Africa (22 April 2024) – Dr Wilhelm Lichtenberg, the visionary behind Young Hearts Africa, has been bestowed with the prestigious Thoracic Surgery Foundation Every Heartbeat Matters (EHM) Award.
This accolade celebrates the remarkable efforts of surgeons who extend their healing hands to underserved communities globally. Remarkably, among the fourteen distinguished recipients worldwide, Dr Lichtenberg stands out as the sole African awardee.
Established just three years ago in 2021, Young Hearts Africa has already transformed the lives of 30 children grappling with congenital heart disease (CHD). Their collaboration with the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town has been instrumental in delivering these life-saving surgeries. Yet, the need remains pressing, with over 4,000 South African children born with CHD each year requiring surgical intervention to survive. Sadly, due to limited facilities, specialists, and high costs, less than 800 of these critical surgeries are performed in the public sector.
The EHM Award, sponsored by the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, not only recognises Dr Lichtenberg’s exceptional contributions but also comes with a $23,000 grant. This generous funding injection will propel Young Hearts Africa’s mission to greater heights, enabling them to save even more young lives.
Reflecting on his experience at the recent Edwards Foundation EHM Partners Summit in California, Dr Lichtenberg shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
“It was quite a remarkable experience to learn from people who have been in the humanitarian surgical outreach sphere for many years,” he remarked.
“The opportunities for collaboration are numerous, and I engaged in encouraging discussions which I am excited to pursue.”
As a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Young Hearts Africa offers hope by rallying support and awareness to facilitate life-saving surgeries. Their ultimate aim extends beyond immediate intervention; they strive to empower affected children, their families, and communities, paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future. In addition to his groundbreaking work with Young Hearts Africa, Dr Lichtenberg is laying the groundwork for a cardiothoracic training facility in Cape Town. This ambitious initiative aims to address the significant physician-to-patient ratio imbalance and expand cardiology and cardiac surgery programmes across Africa.
The YHA Foundation boasts an illustrious patron in former Public Prosecutor Professor Thuli Madonsela and enjoys the support of passionate ambassadors, including Queen’s guitarist Sir Brian May, rugby icons Corne Krige and John Smit.
Looking ahead, Dr Lichtenberg remains committed to his mission. “Ambitious and innovative fundraising programs are underway,” he affirms.
“The goal is to increase access to medical care for more children born with CHD while fostering research and training to bridge the skills gap. The one hand washes the other.”
In recognition of their ethical leadership and holistic approach, Young Hearts Africa was also honoured with the 2023 Conscious Companies Award. Dr Lichtenberg is set to share his insights at the upcoming Conscious Companies Leadership Summit in Johannesburg, contributing to discussions on guiding societies through uncertain times.
In celebrating Dr Wilhelm Lichtenberg and Young Hearts Africa, we are reminded of the profound impact that compassion, dedication, and innovation can have on the lives of vulnerable children and their communities. Their unwavering commitment to healing hearts serves as an inspiring example for us all.
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