Stepping Stone Palliative Care Services, an entity of the highest standards of palliative care that has never turned away a single patient, is now facing its toughest challenge yet, as one-third of its patients receive care without any funding whatsoever.

Tersia Burger, founder and CEO of Stepping Stone, has made an emotional appeal to the community after revealing that the facility provided 2 748 days of completely unfunded care over just three months.
The hospice’s Children’s In-Patient Unit in Raceview currently cares for six children with life-limiting illnesses and conditions, each requiring round-the-clock specialised medical attention.

Among them is young Rumica Jonker, who lives with Mosaic Trisomy 12 syndrome – a rare genetic condition affecting her development, heart, and breathing. Oxygen-reliant and unable to eat normally, Rumica receives specially blended meals through her trachie tube.

Despite the financial pressures, Stepping Stone maintains its COHSASA accreditation, meeting the highest standards of palliative care in the region.

Sad reality

According to Tersia, the daily cost to provide this level of compassionate care is staggering: R2 495 per child with complex needs, and R1 450 for adult palliative care patients.

“This covers specialised nursing staff, life-sustaining medications, oxygen, medical equipment, and nutritionally prepared meals. In July alone, 18 patients passed away, 10 of them with no funding. That translated to 1 085 days of care provided knowing no payment would come. August saw 19 deaths, seven unfunded, totalling 1 322 days of care. September brought 18 more deaths, with seven patients having no funding, another 341 days,” she said.

Currently, she said 33% of their patients, including children in their Children’s Unit in Raceview, have absolutely no funding.

“Despite the financial pressures, we have never turned anyone away, and we never will. But the gap between what it costs to care and what we receive in funding grows wider every month. And we’re calling on local businesses, individuals, and corporate partners to kindly help bridge the funding gap,” Tersia said.

She said no child should face a life-limiting illness without proper care, nutrition, and compassion and that no family should have to choose between medical care and financial ruin.
Should you be able to kindly assist the entity, visit their website at www.steppingstonehospice.co.za, or contact Tersia Burger directly at 083 251 9605.