For ten years, Surgeons for Little Lives (SFLL) has been a symbol of compassion and progress in paediatric healthcare at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) in Soweto — the largest hospital in the southern hemisphere. What began as a small non-profit initiative in 2015 has evolved into a powerful force transforming how children experience hospital care in South Africa.
Founded by Professor Jerome Loveland, SFLL was created to address the critical gaps in paediatric surgery by improving facilities, training specialists, and supporting families. A decade later, the organisation’s impact is undeniable — thousands of children have received life-saving treatment in upgraded wards, surrounded by care that extends beyond medicine.
“Our first ten years have shown what’s possible when people come together with one shared purpose — to save and uplift the lives of children,” says Prof. Loveland. “We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, but we know the need is growing. Every day, we continue to build capacity, inspire future leaders, and give every child a fighting chance.”
Transforming paediatric care at Africa’s largest hospital
At CHBAH, where over 11,000 children are treated each year and 2,300 surgeries are performed, Surgeons for Little Lives has turned overstretched wards into child-friendly healing spaces. The new Wells Paediatric Burns Unit, opened in 2024, doubled ICU capacity, enhanced infection control, and introduced rehabilitation areas — helping to halve mortality rates among burns patients.
Other upgrades, such as the complete refurbishment of Ward 32, a family sleep-over wing, and an outdoor play area, have redefined the hospital experience for young patients and their families. These spaces provide not just comfort but dignity — ensuring children recover in an environment filled with hope.
Healing beyond the operating room
SFLL’s impact extends beyond infrastructure. Its Healing Through Art & Music programme offers children an outlet to process trauma through creativity, while the SCAN initiative, launched in 2023, helps identify and prevent child abuse. The organisation has also partnered with the South African Breastmilk Reserve to provide lactation support for new mothers, ensuring even the smallest patients receive the best start in life.
Small but powerful gestures — from discharge packs to Mandela Day care donations — remind families that healing is as emotional as it is physical.
Investing in the future of paediatric surgery
Recognising the scarcity of paediatric surgeons in South Africa, SFLL has taken a long-term view. Over the past decade, it has supported 17 qualified surgeons and 15 registrars currently in training, equipping them with specialised tools and global learning opportunities.
In 2024, the organisation welcomed its first Rolls Royce Oncology Fellow, Dr. Andinet Beza from Ethiopia, who trained at CHBAH before returning home with new expertise. “Training these specialists is a responsibility we take seriously and a privilege we don’t take for granted,” adds Prof. Loveland.
A community of care
Behind every milestone is a network of donors, volunteers, and corporate partners who have rallied around SFLL’s mission. Events like Bara Ride and Joberg2C not only raise funds but connect the public with the realities of paediatric care. These collaborations have helped provide critical equipment, fund family programmes, and upgrade facilities that change lives every day.
A call to action: one rand, one day, one life
To mark its 10th anniversary, SFLL is inviting South Africans to join its “R365 for Little Lives” campaign — a call for donors to contribute R365, symbolising one rand for every day of the year. Each contribution can cover burn dressings for a child, meals for parents, or materials for play therapy that make recovery less frightening.
Every rand counts. Every day makes a difference.
As Surgeons for Little Lives enters its next decade, its mission remains clear — to ensure that no child’s chance at life is limited by circumstance. Through partnership, purpose, and persistence, it continues to prove that in the heart of Soweto, hope isn’t just a feeling — it’s a force that saves lives.
