The first-ever operation to implant a fully implantable double artificial heart in a pediatric patient was performed at the Tianjin Taida International Cardiovascular Hospital in China. These devices were developed using magnetically levitated pumps from Aerospace Taixin, derived from aerospace technology.
After a phased treatment lasting 110 days, which included artificial heart implantation followed by transplantation, the child was discharged. This procedure marks the first successful case of its kind in China and the lightest successful case globally for treating end-stage heart failure in children, representing a significant breakthrough in domestic artificial heart development.
The patient suffered from restrictive cardiomyopathy—a rare disease occurring in only three out of every hundred thousand people. The child presented with simultaneous insufficiency of both the left and right ventricles, necessitating the installation of two artificial hearts to balance blood flow. Such a configuration previously lacked successful precedents among small and light pediatric patients worldwide.
The international standard for treating such patients involved using the FDA-approved Berlin Heart EXCOR external pneumatic assistance system, which is the only device suitable for infants and young children. However, the Berlin Heart design is based on first-generation technology developed 50 years ago and requires thick abdominal tubing, an external pneumatic drive the size of a refrigerator, and constant patient attachment, posing high infection risks.
Hospital Taida collaborated with Aerospace Taixin Technology to adopt a fundamentally different technical approach. Hospital President Liu Xiaocheng explained that the globally patented artificial heart abandons the complex control system utilizing coils and printed circuit boards found in most fully magnetically levitated designs. Repulsive forces from upper and lower motors directly lift the rotor, allowing for a significant reduction in the pump housing for safer implantation into a child's heart and chest cavity.
To fit the patient's tiny cardiac space, the team of medical engineers modified the second-generation HeartEngine in just 13 days, creating a fully magnetically levitated ventricular assist pump device weighing only 69 grams. The outer suture diameter was reduced from 29 millimeters to 22.4 millimeters, and the weight was lowered from 6.4 grams to 1.17 grams.
This breakthrough also fills a global gap in the development of specialized right ventricular pumps. Previously, all artificial hearts primarily supported the left ventricle, leaving patients with dual heart failure virtually no option but to await heart transplantation. The case of the pediatric double artificial heart, where both pumps operated simultaneously for over 40 days, demonstrates the world's first true dual heart device in a child and provides critical time for donor matching.
China's artificial heart industry, which began developing nearly 30 years later than Europe and the US, has rapidly closed the gap. Five Chinese companies own six approved products in the ventricular assist device market: Evaheart Medical, Suzhou Tongxin, Aerospace Taixin, Shenzhen Core Medical, and magAssist. Aerospace Taixin technology originated from magnetic levitation and high-tech control of rotating systems at the Chinese Academy of Rocketry, subsequently being integrated into medical applications through a medical engineering integration model. This deep fusion of aerospace engineering and medical systems is a capability possessed by only a few countries in the world.
The National Statistical Committee reported that a total of 373,389 live births were registered in Uzbekistan from January to June 2026.
According to the agency's data, the vast majority of cases were single births, with 365,161 cases registered in the first half of the year.
Additionally, during this period, twins were born in 7,996 cases, and triplets or higher-order multiples in 232 cases. Thus, the total number of multiple births in the country over the six-month period reached 8,228.
Despite South Africa producing sufficient amounts of food, the country continues to face a growing crisis of child malnutrition. Lori Lake, an education specialist from UCT, explains the causes of growth stunting and childhood obesity and proposes practical solutions to improve nutrition, reduce poverty levels, and protect children's health.
Child malnutrition in South Africa has long-term negative effects on life. For instance, stunting impairs physical development and cognitive abilities in children, limiting their opportunities in education and employment. Children with stunting and excess weight are at increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, placing a significant burden on South Africa's healthcare system.
Thus, child malnutrition contributes to the formation of an intergenerational cycle of poverty and health problems, leading to high costs for individual children, their families, and South African society as a whole. Moreover, even though the country produces a food surplus, children die of hunger, and mortality from severe acute malnutrition is only the tip of the iceberg.
For over two decades, the Institute of Children at the University of Cape Town has been conducting research on the condition of children in South Africa, covering issues of health, poverty, and nutrition. The Institute advocates for legislative reforms to ensure the rights of these children and runs child rights courses for healthcare professionals and related fields.
Research has shown the slow impact of malnutrition on this vulnerable population group. The Children Count project, which analyzes key indicators affecting South African children, demonstrates a worsening situation.
More than a quarter of young children in South Africa suffer from stunting, and this figure has remained persistently high for decades. Equally alarming is the rapid increase in cases of overweight and obesity among children, which also affects a quarter of young children. Since 2016, these figures have almost doubled—from 13% to 22.3%.
However, the problem is solvable. Early interventions are vital. Studies show that malnutrition during the first 1000 days of life (from conception to the child's second birthday) can have irreversible consequences for long-term health and development. Timely actions to support optimal nutrition can reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, promote human capital accumulation, and stimulate economic development.
To develop effective solutions, it is necessary to move beyond individual behavior and address the root causes. Many children live in families experiencing severe food shortages, where caregivers skip meals to protect children from hunger.
Nearly 40% of children live in households below the food poverty line, with per capita incomes of less than 855 rand (US$52) per month, or 29 rand (US$1.77) per day. This is insufficient to meet children's basic nutritional needs, let alone provide a balanced and nutrient-rich diet.
Concurrently, global food corporations have flooded South African markets with cheap ultra-processed foods containing high amounts of sugar, salt, and saturated fats but few nutrients, contributing to the rapid rise in obesity. Many children live in 'food deserts' where healthy food is either unavailable or too expensive.
These violations of children's right to basic nutrition have been the subject of investigation by the South African Human Rights Commission. During the first round of public hearings in March 2026, the author and colleagues urged the commission to make children the focus of its public investigation into the food system. The second round of hearings (from July 6 to 10, 2026) focused on the roles and responsibilities of major retailers.
Child malnutrition is a complex issue requiring the involvement of the entire society to ensure the availability and affordability of healthy food. Based on the research conducted, five policy recommendations were proposed.
Firstly, South Africa should begin investing in maternal health and nutrition. Pregnancy is a period of increased nutrient demand, where food insecurity threatens both the mother and her unborn child. Therefore, civil society calls for the introduction of a maternity support grant starting from the second trimester of pregnancy. This grant should automatically transition into a child benefit after birth to prevent complications and low birth weight, support healthy growth and development, and provide financial support at the most critical time.
Secondly, the country needs to improve infant and young child feeding. Breastfeeding is one of the most effective methods for preventing both undernutrition and overnutrition, yet only one in five infants (0-6 months) in South Africa receives exclusive breastfeeding. Furthermore, only one in four young children (6-12 months) has a minimally adequate diet. Thus, the healthcare system plays a critical role in better supporting breastfeeding mothers and transitioning to complementary feeding. It must also respond promptly to the first signs of growth retardation and ensure that children at risk of malnutrition have access to support through Therapeutic Feeding Programs or child benefits.
Furthermore, nutritional support must continue throughout life. Schools and early development programs are important channels for providing daily meals to children, which helps alleviate hunger and gives them energy for play and learning. The national school feeding program covers over 9 million students, while preschool subsidies support a much smaller proportion of younger children. However, neither program provides support during the most critical period: the first two years of life, when children are most vulnerable to stunting and severe acute malnutrition.
The child benefit is the only program that provides food support to younger children on a large scale, but its value (580 rand per month or 20 rand per day) is decreasing due to food price inflation. Advocates demand that the government increase the benefit amount to at least the level of the food poverty line for children up to two years old.
These government investments are only part of the solution. It is also crucial to regulate the food industry by increasing taxes to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks, clearly labeling products high in salt, sugar, and fat, and ensuring these products are not advertised to children.
In conclusion, South Africa can begin creating a healthier food environment and simplifying the choice of healthy food for both children and their families. The authors hope that the commission will develop clear recommendations to prevent the food industry from profiting at the expense of the health and nutrition of the youngest and most vulnerable children.
Questions have arisen regarding how elderly patients are managed while waiting for appointments at the outpatient department of False Bay Hospital. These concerns were voiced in the Pensioners Forum group on Facebook.
The core of the worry is the length of time some elderly patients are forced to wait before seeing a doctor, as well as the need to pay more attention to patients over 80, especially those who are frail or have difficulty sitting for long periods.
According to the Facebook post, patients aged 80 and older were observed queuing alongside younger patients for several hours. One instance was described where an elderly patient allegedly waited four and a half hours in cold, drafty corridors before being examined by a doctor.
Despite the criticism of waiting times, the post emphasized that the complaints do not concern the quality of medical care once patients reach the consultation room. The message noted: 'The medical care, once they reach the doctor, is excellent. Doctors, nurses, and staff deserve recognition for the care they provide.'
A question was also raised about whether the system that previously prioritized very elderly patients is still in place. It was suggested that patients over 80, particularly the frail or those who cannot sit comfortably for long periods, should receive more attention during hospital patient triage.
It was argued that although waiting is a recognized reality in the public healthcare system, spending several hours in the waiting area can be exhausting, painful, and, in some cases, medically dangerous for the elderly.
In response to inquiries from Echo, Samantha Lee-Habbs, a representative from the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, stated that reception staff at False Bay Hospital regularly identify patients who may require additional assistance, including the elderly, wheelchair users, and people with disabilities.
She explained that this helps staff properly support these patients while ensuring fair and clinically sound care. Lee-Habbs specified that the current average waiting time for outpatient appointments at False Bay Hospital is approximately three months, with most patients being seen within three hours of their scheduled visit.
The representative mentioned that waiting times can vary depending on several factors, such as retrieving medical records, visiting walk-in patients, the complexity of medical conditions, and overall demand for services. She added that the hospital receives many elderly and vulnerable patients daily, and staff make every effort to support those in need.
The Ministry affirmed its commitment to improving access to services and patient experience for all. Lee-Habbs also reported that there have been no official complaints received regarding outpatient waiting times to date. She advised patients or family members with concerns to raise them during a visit with the Quality Assurance Coordinator, Patient Liaison Officer, Shift Manager, or Matron so that issues can be resolved as quickly as possible. Complaints can also be submitted in writing at the facility by calling 0860 142 142 or emailing service@westerncape.gov.za.
