Our Story
Where little lives are changed forever
Saving
Little Lives
Launched in May 2015, Surgeons for Little Lives is a registered non-profit organisation, with a powerful commitment to saving the lives of sick children.
We ensure that critically ill children and their families receive a level of care that reflects the exceptional skill of their surgeons.
The Challenge
South African doctors are among the best in the world – but, through circumstances beyond their control, they can’t always provide the standard of care that they would like.
Unfortunately, because available resources are extremely limited, the level of care available to our little patients and their families in the large, over-burdened state hospitals, is very basic.
This means it takes longer for children to recover after surgery and complications are more likely to set in.
Passionate Care, Life-Changing Surgery
Surgeons for Little Lives is run by a small group of Paediatric Surgeons, and ordinary people, passionate about uplifting the lives of less fortunate children needing life changing surgery.
It was started with the overriding objective of raising the level of care given to patients in the Paediatric Surgery wards in state hospitals, in the Greater Gauteng area, to world class standards.
Our Core Mission
To raise money to fund specific projects which will improve the care given to the children served by the Department of Paediatric Surgery in Greater Gauteng and its surrounding provinces.
Our Supporting Goal
To improve the care, management and treatment of Paediatric Surgical and Paediatric burns patients.
To assist the State hospitals with their record keeping and procurement processes.
To assist with appropriate and effective service delivery and patient care.
To better support the caregivers and families of these patients.
To purchase new capital equipment and some vital disposable items.
To contribute to and encourage high quality research in the field of Paediatric Surgery that leads to improvement of Paediatric Surgical health care in the public sector.
To improve the facilities where medical care takes place, where the hospitals (CHBAH and CMJAH) are unable to do so themselves.
To contribute to the development of Paediatric Surgery at the University of the Witwatersrand and the development of Paediatric Surgery training in Gauteng with respect to both local doctors and those from the rest of Africa.
Our Achievements
Through generous donations, we have successfully completed transformative projects.
Paediatric Surgical Outpatient Clinic (2017) – The central cog from where we provide and direct all patient care, including a parental sleepover facility.
Ward 32 Upgrades (Children’s Surgery Ward) – New play areas, a library, improved bathrooms and enhanced patient facilities.
Wells Paediatric Burns Unit Expansion (2025 Completion) – A R26M project increasing ICU capacity and care quality.
Neonatal Play & Maternal Facility Support – Creating nurturing spaces for infants and caregivers.
SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse & Neglect) Program – The first of its kind in South Africa, ensuring early intervention.
1BEAT Telemedicine Project – Innovating patient care through digital technology.
Extensive Research Support – Directly through the appointment of a Research Director, and indirectly to numerous paediatric surgical trainees.
Academic Training – Both to local Wits paediatric surgical trainees, as well as on the continent, through the Rolls Royce Paediatric Surgical Cancer Surgery Fellowship.
Health Promotion & Outreach – Expanding awareness campaigns on burn prevention and child safety.
How You Can Make a Difference
Your support can help us take these vital projects forward. Whether through direct contributions, corporate partnerships, or support for our endowment fund, every investment brings us closer to a future where no child is denied world-class surgical care due to lack of resources.
If you’d like to learn more or discuss ways to get involved, we’d love to connect.
