Umduduzi Hospice Brings Hope and Heartfelt Connection to Children's Care

Photo Credit: Umduduzi - Hospice Care for Children via Facebook

The Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children team goes beyond easing pain and discomfort; they offer hope, joy, and a sense of belonging, ensuring that each child and their family experience moments of relief and heartfelt connection, no matter the journey ahead.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (20 October 2025) – At Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children, compassion and dignity are not just values – they are a lifeline. Here, every child facing a life-threatening or life-limiting illness in KZN is embraced with personalised care, comfort, and support.

Beyond palliative care, the dedicated team also goes above and beyond to bring a sense of joy. This month, the hospice participated in the fun Hats On for Children’s Palliative Care #Hatson4CPC initiative by hosting an event at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital on Friday, 10 October and participated in a joint walk with PatchSA on Sunday, 12 October.

“The awareness event on 10 October, highlighted the importance of children’s palliative care. Speakers included parents whose children have received palliative care from Umduduzi, as well as doctors from the hospital who refer children to our team. Everyone was encouraged to wear a “funky” hat, take a selfie and post on all social media platforms with the CPC hashtag,” shares Umduduzi Director and Social Worker, Tracey Brand.

Tracey explains that while palliative care is an unrecognised speciality in South Africa. Umduduzi has provided this service within state hospitals for the last 12 years with no financial support from the Department of Health.

“We are a totally donor-funded organisation. #Hatson4CPC is important as it highlights the importance of palliative care in general, but more specifically, the importance of children’s palliative care. This initiative allows for awareness raising as well as an opportunity to raise funds.”

While some may wonder how the Umduduzi team are able to do all that they do, for them it is not a question of “how?” but rather of “how can they not?”.

Tracey fondly shares about a patient who has been in their care since he was diagnosed, BZ. He was born with an inoperable heart condition, and this August, he celebrated his 6^th birthday.

“As his condition changes, so will the services we provide to him and his family. BZ is an adorable young boy with an infectious giggle and a cheeky grin. Visits with him lift everyone’s spirits and entrench the importance of palliative care from the time of diagnosis.”
Related Story
Emotional Performance From Buskers in Cape Town Strikes a Chord

Umduduzi believes that children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses deserve the right to access palliative care.

“This service provides pain and symptom control as well as psycho-social and spiritual support to the child and the family. It starts at the point of diagnosis to bereavement and beyond. Without our interventions, children with these illnesses would suffer physically as well as psychologically and spiritually, and their families would not have any support,” Tracey explains.

Being completely donor-funded and relying on a professional team of doctors, nurses and social workers, Umduduzi’s greatest need is funding.

“The public can support the Hospice by signing up to our 100 Club, choosing Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children as the recipient of their My School Card, as well as donating previously loved items for our thrift shop, The Hope Chest, which helps subsidise our work.”

For more information, email tracey@umduduzi.co.za or visit the Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children website.