The Faculty of Health Sciences at UCT, which is home to the oldest medical school in southern Africa, is celebrating its centenary. UCT's Faculty of Medicine was formed on June 6, 1912.

Some famous advances in health care - including the world's first successful heart transplant in 1967, as well as the research that led to the development of the CAT scanner - placed the faculty and Groote Schuur Hospital on the map. The first electrocardiogram (ECG) machine in Africa was built in the faculty and it was also discovered there that frogs could be used for pregnancy tests.

About 4000 students are educated there yearly across multiple disciplines and about 350 undergraduate students, 200 of whom are doctors, graduate each year.

To celebrate its centenary, the faculty has organised a photographic exhibition and publications, a commemorative medallion, and is releasing an official stamp. It also hosted an anniversary day event earlier this week.