South Africa: 21-Year-Old's Crucial Kidney Dialysis Treatment Puts Family Under Financial Strain

In 2024, a 21-year-old South African man named Brandon Booysen was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism, a condition that causes excessive calcium in the body and weakens his bones over time. Living with chronic kidney disease since childhood, Brandon requires frequent dialysis treatments to maintain his health. His mother, Lucille, a 41-year-old single mother, is Brandon's primary caregiver and faces significant financial strain due to the high costs of his medical care.

Lucille has been caring for Brandon since he turned 18, as he lost access to the social grant he received as a child. The family now relies on her boyfriend, Werner, for financial support, but the high costs of Brandon's medical treatment have depleted their medical aid savings. Brandon receives haemodialysis three times a week at home, using a machine and special filter to remove waste products from his blood, as his kidneys can no longer perform this function effectively.

Lucille explains that their medical aid covers Brandon's home dialysis sessions, the dialysis team, and some of his regular blood tests. However, the family has to pay out-of-pocket for the remaining expenses, which include three medicines totaling R6,316 per month and R8,000 for unpaid blood tests. Lucille also mentions that they rely on prepaid electricity and continue to struggle with the additional financial burden caused by Brandon's medical needs.