What Operation Healing Hands does

Operation Healing Hands is a South African Non-Profit Company (NPC) founded in 2016 in Pretoria, Gauteng, originating as a Mandela Day initiative and incorporated into a permanent operating entity under CEO and founder Dr. Helene Basson. The organization provides free life-changing surgical and primary healthcare services to underprivileged South Africans who lack access to or cannot afford such procedures, spanning orthopaedics, ophthalmology, ENT, and general surgery. Cumulative impact from 2016 through 2025 is reported at 1,597 surgeries performed and 2,440 patients assisted.

The operating model is a coordination layer rather than a technology platform. The organization aggregates pro bono contributions from three stakeholder groups: partner hospitals donating theatre time and facilities, medical device companies (Zimmer Biomet, Stryker, Medtronic) supplying implants and prosthetics, and credentialed medical professionals donating surgical time and expertise. There is no proprietary software, no API surface, and no data infrastructure described; the headcount of 11-50 employees supports a lean administrative core that manages volunteer coordination, donor relations, and patient intake.

The business model is donation- and grant-driven rather than revenue-generating. All clinical services are delivered free of charge to patients; income is sourced from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and media-driven fundraising through the Jacaranda FM Good Morning Angels partnership. The only disclosed funding event is an R240,000 grant from EthiQal in 2019. No pricing, subscription, or transactional revenue exists, and the patient base represents beneficiaries rather than paying customers.

Name

Operation Healing Hands

Legal name

Operation Healing Hands NPC

Website

https://operationhealinghands.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Operation Healing Hands is a South African non-profit founded in 2016 that delivers free life-changing surgeries and primary healthcare to underprivileged patients through a coordinated network of pro bono medical professionals, partner hospitals, and medical device sponsors in Gauteng.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Pro Bono Surgical Services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists) (621111), Offices of Physicians (6211), Offices of Other Health Practitioners (6213)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Orthopedic Surgery (Operative Orthopedics) (HLAKALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Orthopedic & Spine Surgery Centers (HLAFAIAG), Orthopedic & Spine Specialty Hospitals (HLAFAHAB)

Keywords

• Pro bono surgical services
• Free charity surgeries
• Underprivileged patient care
• Orthopaedic joint replacements
• Non-profit healthcare initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a Non-Profit Company, Operation Healing Hands generates no revenue from patients. All funding comes from donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships. The funds cover consumables used in surgeries, random medical expenses, and daily operational costs. All medical personnel work pro bono, hospitals sponsor theatre time and in-hospital stay, X-rays and blood work are provided free by service providers, and prostheses (hip/knee replacements, implants) are sponsored by medical companies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Operation Healing Hands organizes and funds the delivery of free, life-changing surgical procedures to underprivileged South African patients who cannot afford private medical care. The organization's operations cover consultations, pre-operative procedures, surgeries across multiple disciplines (orthopaedics, general surgery, ophthalmology, ENT, urology, gynaecology, paediatric surgery, plastic surgery), in-hospital treatment, diagnostics, medication, and three months of post-operative follow-up including rehabilitation and prosthetics. Medical personnel work pro bono, partner hospitals donate theatre time and stays, and prostheses are sponsored by medical device companies, with OHH funds covering consumables and operational expenses.

Product overview

Operation Healing Hands is a South African non-profit company founded in 2016 that provides free life-changing surgical procedures to underprivileged patients who cannot afford medical care. The organization's core offering is its Surgical Services Program, which encompasses consultations, pre-operative procedures, surgeries across multiple disciplines (orthopaedics/joint replacements, general surgery, urology, gynaecology, ENT, ophthalmology, paediatric surgery, and plastic surgery), in-hospital care with diagnostics and medication, and three months of post-operative follow-up including rehabilitation and prosthetics. In response to funding constraints in 2020, the organization expanded to include Primary Healthcare Services covering eye care, dental treatment, and women's health. The flagship initiative is the annual Mandela Month Campaign conducted every July. Medical personnel work pro bono while hospitals sponsor theatre time and in-hospital stays, with OHH funds covering consumables and operational expenses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Free Surgical Services Program Comprehensive free surgical care program for underprivileged South African patients, covering consultations, pre-operative procedures, surgeries across multiple disciplines, in-hospital treatment, X-rays, medication, and three months of post-operative follow-up.
• Orthopaedic Surgery Services Orthopaedic procedures including hip, knee, and shoulder joint replacements, general orthopaedics, Achilles tendon lengthening, and spinal surgeries such as scoliosis correction and hip reconstruction.
• Ophthalmology and Eye Care Services Vision-restoring procedures including cataract surgery, cornea transplants, pterygium removal, and strabismus repair, plus broader eye care (testing, glasses provision).
• General Surgery Services General surgical interventions including cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), hernia repairs, and circumcision procedures provided free to qualifying patients.
• Paediatric Surgery Services Surgical procedures for children including tonsillectomies, adenoidectomies, grommet insertions, congenital defect corrections, cochlear implants, and other paediatric interventions.
• Primary Healthcare Services Non-surgical primary healthcare including eye testing and provision of glasses, dental treatment, and women's health services such as pap smears, delivered free to underprivileged South Africans.
• Rehabilitation and Prosthetics Program Post-operative rehabilitation services including physiotherapy and prosthetic limbs/implants (hip and knee replacements, other orthopaedic implants), sponsored by medical device companies and delivered to qualifying patients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1597 surgeries performed and 2440 patients helped since 2016
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Zimmer BiometcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Medical device company providing hip and knee replacement prosthetics for OHH patients including Rosslyn Potgieter's hip revision and Mame Ghartey's hip replacement in 2025.
• StrykercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Medical device company providing orthopaedic implants for OHH patients including Elsabe Nortje's hip replacement and Sal Lourens's bilateral knee replacements in 2025.
• Optimed Eye & Laser CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Eye care clinic performing cataract surgeries for OHH patients including Elmer Grobler, Harry Donaldson, and others in 2025.
• Netcare Sunninghill HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Hospital where Okhethwayo Mudau received sternotomy for ventricular septal defect repair and PDA closure in March 2025, with Maboneng Heart & Lung Institute participating.
• Mediclinic MidstreamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Hospital performing joint replacement surgeries for OHH patients including Anneke Jonker's procedure in July 2025 and Bianca Du Preez's reconstructive surgery in September 2025.
• Advanced Groenkloof Day HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Day hospital performing various surgeries for OHH patients including Jeffrey Jonas's fistulectomy and Marietjie Prinsloo's procedure in 2025.
• Life Brooklyn Day HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Day hospital performing surgeries for OHH patients including Delene De Bruin's uterine prolapse procedure in May 2025.
• Cure Day Hospital MontanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Day hospital performing surgeries for OHH patients including Jazmin Louw's procedure in November 2025.
• Life Pretoria North Day HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Day hospital performing surgeries for OHH patients including Tanisha Thomas's TS&As and bilateral grommets in July 2025 and Wine Esterhuizen's procedure in September 2025.
• Life Groenkloof HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Hospital performing surgeries for OHH patients including Reasebi Maria Khoza's procedure in November 2025.
• Ndlovu Care GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Referral partner that referred Nkazimulo Mphego to OHH. Helped raise funds for her complex two-stage 7-hour reconstructive surgery.
• Elite SurgicalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partner provider that performed Adele Saayman's hip replacement at Life Eugene Marais in February 2020.
• MedtronicminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Medical technology sponsor that contributed to Sanet Basson's branchial cleft cyst removal surgery at Life Groenkloof in August 2020.
• Centurion Day HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership started in 2018. Centurion Day Hospital provides services and facilities free of charge for OHH patients, especially children needing ENT procedures like tonsillectomies and adenoidectomies. During 2019 Mandela Month, five young patients received free surgeries.
• Midstream MedicliniccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Provided services and facilities free of charge for OHH's 2019 Mandela Month campaign. Two procedures performed: Louisa Botha and Muriel Mogakala received cholecystectomy surgery. Also performed Judith Xaba's osteotomy and knee replacement.
• Life Faerie Glen HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Involved in 2019 Mandela Month campaign. Mrs. Maria Naude received total hip replacement at Life Faerie Glen in July 2019.
• Advanced Health Day Hospitals - GroenkloofcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Started partnership in 2019 with Circumcision Project offering medical circumcisions free of charge to boys aged 5-11 who meet criteria. In 2020, eight boys were operated on at Advanced Health Day Hospital in Groenkloof during March. Also offers free pap smear tests to mothers of circumcision patients.
• Cure Day HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Involved in 2019 Mandela Month campaign. Young Kayden Greeff received surgery to correct protruding 'bat ears' at Cure Day Hospital Erasmuskloof. Staff provided professional and kind care.
• Zuid Afrikaans HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partner hospital for multiple OHH patients including Fred Dockendorff's hip replacement (April 2019), Koos Moolman's bilateral hip replacements (September-November 2019), Jonathan Oosthuizen's cholesteatoma removal (April 2019), Tadiwa Mohambane's cochlear implant (October 2019), and Sharlene Coopoosammy's hip replacement (September 2021).
• Intercare HazeldeancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnered with OHH and ophthalmologist Dr. Marcel Niemandt during Eye Care Awareness Week October 2019 to provide 45 free cataract surgeries to patients in need. Also provides ongoing eye care services.
• Pretoria Eye InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Listed as one of OHH's partner hospitals providing eye care services to patients in need.
• Kilnerpark Day HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Listed as one of OHH's partner hospitals providing services to patients in need.
• Life Groenkloof HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partner hospital that performed Sanet Basson's branchial cleft cyst removal surgery in August 2020. Treated patient like a princess.
• Jacaranda FM Good Morning AngelscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Radio station partnership through Good Morning Angels program that broadcasts patient stories and raises donations. Helped Carina van Heerden and other patients. Promoted OHH and Silverton Medicross partnership with Sipho Hleza's story.
• Helpende HandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019Partnered with OHH to help provide Kapok Mofokeng with his second cataract lens after receiving first lens during Eye Care Awareness Week 2019.
• Dr. Marcel NiemandtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Ophthalmologist who partnered with OHH and Intercare to perform 45 free cataract surgeries during Eye Care Awareness Week October 2019. Treated Kapok Mofokeng and other patients.
• The Ear InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partner that fitted Jonathan Oosthuizen with state-of-the-art Phonak hearing aid after his cholesteatoma surgery at Zuid Afrikaans Hospital.
• Hear UPcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Sponsored electrodes for Tadiwa Mohambane's cochlear implant surgery at Zuid Afrikaans Hospital in October 2019.
• PCIUcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Sponsored electrodes for Tadiwa Mohambane's cochlear implant surgery at Zuid Afrikaans Hospital in October 2019.
• Eduplex SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Unique mainstream school that offered to enroll Tadiwa Mohambane when she reaches schooling age, allowing integration with hearing students and communication development.
• Life Wilgers HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Joined OHH team in 2018. Performed groundbreaking tumor-removal and reconstructive surgery for former Banyana Banyana star Ruth Luthuli. Also performed Sly Ngobeni's bilateral hip replacement surgery in 2019 Mandela Month campaign.
• Life Eugene Marais HospitalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016OHH's flagship hospital, part of organization from the very start. The very first surgery under OHH's banner took place at Life Eugene Marais in 2016. First patient was Mirriam Ramasimong who received hip replacement surgery. Many surgeries performed here including Grant Mostert's Achilles lengthening.
• BiodentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Dental practice led by Dr. Nico Verloop, OHH partner since founding in 2016. Provides all OHH dentistry and pre-operative check-ups for major surgery cases free of charge. Dr. Verloop was first South African to obtain Masters degree in laser dentistry from University of Genoa in 2016.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Project HOPE: Global health and humanitarian organization delivering health programs and medical aid worldwide. Adjacent peer with similar NPO structure addressing health access, though focused on broader public health rather than elective surgery.
• International Medical Corps: Global humanitarian organization providing healthcare services and medical training in conflict-affected and underserved areas. Adjacent peer with comparable NPO structure delivering health services to vulnerable populations.
• Doctors Without Borders / MSF: International medical humanitarian organization providing emergency medical care in crisis-affected countries. Comparable as a large-scale health-focused humanitarian charity, though with broader clinical scope beyond elective surgery.

Regional players

• Surgeons for Little Lives: South African NPO supporting pediatric surgery at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. Comparable regional peer focused on surgical access for children in South Africa.
• Children's Hospital Trust: South African NPO fundraising to support pediatric healthcare at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital. Regional peer with similar NPO structure supporting surgical/medical care for underprivileged children.

Broad incumbents

• Operation Smile: Global charity providing free cleft lip and palate surgeries in low- and middle-income countries through volunteer medical teams and partner hospitals. Same pro bono multi-stakeholder model but with global footprint and cleft-only specialization.
• Smile Train: International charity empowering local medical professionals to provide free cleft surgeries worldwide. Similar pro bono surgical mission and partnership-driven delivery model, with broader geographic reach.

Direct peers

• Mercy Ships: Operates hospital ships providing free surgeries and medical care in African countries. Directly comparable in mission (free surgeries for underserved populations) and operational geography (Africa), with similar reliance on volunteer medical professionals.
• ReSurge International: Provides free reconstructive surgery in developing countries by training and partnering with local surgeons. Highly comparable in providing multi-disciplinary pro bono surgery to underserved populations.
• Smile Foundation SA: South African NPO that coordinates free corrective surgeries (cleft lip/palate, burns, facial reconstruction) for underprivileged children by partnering with private hospitals and volunteer surgeons. Closest direct peer — same pro bono surgical coordination model in the same geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsoHyJkbpqv2Q-wa_UIb98Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/OperationHealingHands
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/operation-healing-hands
• Instagraminstagram.com/operationhealinghands

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Operation Healing Hands