The University of Cape Town (UCT) has launched a first-of-its-kind, multidisciplinary liver centre set to reshape how liver disease is diagnosed and treated in South Africa.
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The University of Cape Town (UCT) has unveiled a revolutionary, first-of-its-kind multidisciplinary liver centre, a move set to transform the diagnostic and treatment landscape for South African patients. Operating across a strategic network including Groote Schuur Hospital, UCT Private Academic Hospital, and Netcare Greenacres Hospital in Gqeberha, the initiative bridges the gap between public and private healthcare to deliver a new "gold standard" of coordinated care.
By integrating the scale of the public sector with the advanced technology and efficiency of private facilities, the centre offers a seamless framework previously unavailable in the country. It brings together a "dream team" of specialists—from hepatobiliary surgeons and hepatologists to oncologists and interventional radiologists—to ensure that every aspect of a patient’s journey is managed under a single academic umbrella.
"Liver disease is complex and should receive subspecialist, multidisciplinary care," explains project lead and UCT clinician, Dr Dale Creamer. "The liver centre offers exactly this, and this is what really makes it unique because patients have never received this level of care under one roof in the country."
Historically, patients with liver conditions often faced a fragmented medical journey, shuttling between different specialists and locations. This new model eliminates that friction, offering everything from early-stage diagnosis to life-saving liver transplants. Beyond the clinical procedures, the centre aims to shift the power dynamic between doctor and patient.
“Here we empower patients to learn about their liver disease and to understand it and provide them with world-class collaborative care that they need to treat it,” said Dr Creamer.
The evidence-based approach used by the centre ensures that treatment plans are tailored to the individual rather than a "one size fits all" methodology. By operating as a centre of excellence, the initiative also strengthens the training of future clinicians, ensuring South African medical practice remains aligned with international best practices.
Accessibility is a cornerstone of the new centre. General practitioners can refer patients directly via a dedicated website, while individuals with existing conditions can also self-refer through the same channel. This digital-first approach ensures that patients are swiftly assessed and placed in the hands of the correct specialist within the network.
“It is a seamless process with no unnecessary back-and-forth,” Dr Creamer said.
“Because we are an experienced, multidisciplinary team and operate as a centre of excellence, we offer the highest level of care and our patients well-being and safety are our top priority every step of the way.”
As liver disease continues to be a significant health challenge in South Africa, UCT’s new multidisciplinary hub represents more than just a clinical facility—it is a beacon of hope for thousands, promising integrated care that prioritises the patient above the process.