CAPE TOWN – When seven-year-old Hayden (surname withheld) was admitted to St Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care in March this year, his prognosis was touch-and-go. Tuberculous meningitis meant he could not walk and had resulted in severe malnutrition. He was in severe pain and could hardly bear to be touched.
But six months later, this once-quiet little boy walks, laughs, sings and eats up a storm — and is testament to both his fighting spirit and the world-class care provided at St Joseph’s, which has cared for more than 30 000 children over its 90-year existence.
Free transitional care
St Joseph’s is a 175-bed facility that provides free, transitional care to children from vulnerable communities across the Western Cape. Referred by hospitals and healthcare providers throughout the Cape Metropole, these young patients face chronic conditions such as cerebral palsy, infectious diseases, brain injuries, neurological disorders, and cancer. At St Joseph’s, they receive expert multidisciplinary, rehabilitative, and restorative care — bridging the critical gap between hospital and home.
According to Daniel Roodt, spokesperson, when Hayden arrived from Caledon, he was fragile, fearful, and unable to swallow. “All his nutrition had to be given through a nasogastric tube. For the first few months, progress was slow. He underwent six months of intensive TB treatment, and although improvement was minimal in the beginning, his care team remained steady and focused, prioritising comfort, nutrition, and gentle stimulation.
“Slowly, there was positive change. His appetite returned, and once he completed his TB treatment, he was able to eat fully by mouth. This shift marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation that touched every part of his life. In physiotherapy, Hayden has shown extraordinary courage. The little boy who once cried when touched now greets his therapists with smiles and hugs. His strength, balance, and confidence continue to grow, and he no longer requires chronic pain medication,” says Roodt.
Milestones
Hayden has also reached new milestones in occupational therapy. “He can sit without support, feed himself with a built-up spoon, dress with assistance, and use both hands to reach, grasp, and explore. His visual perception has improved, and he recently began attending the St Joseph’s school, a meaningful step toward greater independence,” according to Roodt.
The nursing team describes his progress with deep pride. “From a child who once pushed us away, Hayden now calls us by name. He loves getting ready for school each morning, singing and chatting to everyone who comes into the ward. He even takes his medication happily, saying ‘ooh, lekker!’ when it tastes sweet. He walks short distances with assistance and spends the rest of his day in his wheelchair, always smiling and talking.”
Find voice again
Hayden has also found his voice again. “His cheerful singing fills the ward and therapy rooms, and when asked about his favourite things, he beams and says, “Ek het lekker kossies gehad, my beste is hot chips en vis. Ek het skool toe gegaan, dit is baie lekker.” (“I had such nice food; my favourite is hot chips and fish. I went to school, and it’s so much fun.”) His recovery is one of many healing stories at St Joseph’s. Each year, the facility supports hundreds of children who arrive with complex health challenges and nowhere else to turn. Many cannot be adequately cared for at home and lack the resources to find help elsewhere. At St Joseph’s, they receive the care they need, without the burden of cost. Every aspect of treatment at St Joseph’s is offered completely free, regardless of the severity of a child’s condition. Patients stay for an average of six months to one year and receive daily clinical, therapeutic, and nutritional support. Each meal is prepared with care, and each treatment session helps children move another step toward recovery.
“The work of the St Joseph’s team is only possible because of the generosity of the facility’s benefactors. Every contribution plays a meaningful role in ensuring that young patients continue receiving the care they need. Each donation helps create moments of hope and healing that allow hundreds of children like Hayden to experience their very own healing miracles,” says Roodt.
