Marius Barnard (surgeon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marius Barnard
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Marius Barnard (1968)
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Marius Stephanus Barnard
3 November 1927 Beaufort West, Union of South Africa
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| Died | 14 November 2014 (aged 87) Hermanus, South Africa
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| Education | University of Cape Town |
| Years active | 1950–2001 |
| Known for | Inventing critical illness insurance and political reforms |
| Relatives | Christiaan Barnard (brother) |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Surgeon |
| Institutions | Groote Schuur Hospital |
| Sub-specialties | Cardiothoracic surgery Heart transplantation |
Marius Stephanus Barnard (born November 3, 1927 – died November 14, 2014) was a famous South African heart surgeon. He was also known for inventing a special type of insurance called critical illness insurance. This insurance helps people financially if they get very sick.
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A Life Dedicated to Healing
Marius Barnard was a skilled doctor who specialized in heart surgery. He was part of a very important team led by his brother, Christiaan Barnard. In 1967, this team made history. They performed the world's first human-to-human heart transplant.
The First Heart Transplant
Marius Barnard was one of the surgeons who carefully removed the heart from the donor, Denise Darvall. This happened at Groote Schuur Hospital in South Africa. The operation was a huge step forward in medicine. It showed that a human heart could be successfully moved from one person to another.
There was a film called Hidden Heart made in 2009. It suggested that another person, Hamilton Naki, removed the donor heart. However, Marius Barnard said this film was "rubbish" and "a total distortion of the facts." He stated that Naki was not present during that part of the surgery.
Helping Patients Financially
Dr. Barnard saw many of his patients struggle after they recovered from serious illnesses. Even though he could fix their health, their finances were often ruined. This motivated him to find a solution. He believed that people needed help with money when they faced critical health problems.
He worked hard to convince insurance companies in South Africa. He argued that doctors could heal bodies, but only insurance could heal finances. Because of his efforts, the first critical illness insurance policy was launched on August 6, 1983. This new type of insurance pays out a lump sum if someone is diagnosed with a serious illness.
A Voice for Change
Marius Barnard was also involved in politics. He served in the Parliament of South Africa from 1980 to 1989. He was a member of the Progressive Federal Party. This party was one of the few that stood against apartheid. Apartheid was a system of unfair laws that separated people based on their race in South Africa. Barnard believed in fairness and equality for all.
After his time in parliament, he worked as a consultant for a company called Scottish Widows. He received many awards for his important work in medicine and for helping humanity. He was even named one of the top 25 most influential people in the fields of health insurance and protection.
Marius Barnard passed away on November 14, 2014. He had been battling prostate cancer. His legacy lives on through his medical contributions and the financial protection he helped create for countless people.
