Critical influence

Dr Marius Barnard grew up in an area of South Africa filled with drought and poverty. The son of a missionary, he spent much of his childhood in one of the country's most deprived areas. But while his upbringing was modest, he was lucky to have parents who understood the value of knowledge and encouraged him and his brothers to study. Now, Dr Barnard is known as one of the world's most acclaimed heart surgeons and as the founder of critical illness (CI) cover. But it has not been an easy ride. Once he had completed his medical schooling, Dr Barnard began his career as a family doc...