St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Marks a New Chapter in Specialist Children's Care

For more than 90 years, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital has been providing specialist care to some of South Africa's most medically vulnerable children. Located near Cape Town International Airport, the hospital has quietly transformed the lives of thousands of children and their families.

During an interview on Back Chat on Bush Radio 89.5 FM, Dushina Arend, Fundraising Lead at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, shared insights into the hospital's recent name change and the vital role it continues to play in children's healthcare.

Formerly known as St. Joseph's Intermediate Paediatric Care, the organisation has adopted the name St. Joseph's Children's Hospital to better reflect its specialised services. The new name clearly communicates the hospital's focus on providing expert care to children recovering from serious illnesses and injuries.

Dushina explained that St. Joseph's provides post-acute care, supporting children who have already received emergency or acute treatment at public hospitals. While these children are medically stable, many still require ongoing specialised care before they are ready to return home.

The hospital treats children recovering from conditions such as tuberculosis (TB), HIV, severe injuries, motor vehicle accidents, gunshot wounds, neurological conditions, and other complex medical diagnoses. Its multidisciplinary approach includes medical care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutritional support, psychosocial services, education, and caregiver training.

As the only children's hospital of its kind in South Africa offering specialised post-acute care, St. Joseph's also plays an important role in easing pressure on public hospitals. By caring for children who no longer require acute hospital treatment but still need medical support, the hospital helps free up beds for critically ill patients while ensuring children continue their recovery in a specialised environment.

A key part of the hospital's mission is that all services are provided free of charge. This is made possible through support from the Department of Health and the generosity of donors. During the interview, Dushina emphasised the importance of monthly donations, noting that even R150 per month can help provide nutritious meals for a child during their stay.

Since opening its doors in 1935, St. Joseph's Children's Hospital has remained committed to placing children at the centre of everything it does. While its services have evolved over the decades, its mission remains unchanged: helping children recover, supporting families, and giving every child the best possible opportunity to return home safely.

To learn more about St. Joseph's Children's Hospital or to support its work, visit www.stjosephs.org.za or follow the organisation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

.Writtern by Khanyiswa Mdladlamba

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