A lifeline for families facing complex health challenges

Providing consistent and tangible support for complex care

 Tuesday, 4 November 2025: At just five years old, Quinette Velthuysen’s future was forever altered when she underwent life-saving brain surgery to remove a rare craniopharyngioma tumour. Now, at 13, Quinette is thriving as a high school learner – thanks to her own resilience, her mother’s unwavering love, and the enduring support of a dedicated pharmacy team. 

Quinette Velthuysen

“It began with nosebleeds and headaches, and I took Quinette to the doctor for a check-up. Nothing could have prepared us for the MRI results. Finding out my little girl had a brain tumour was a massive shock, and then we had to brace ourselves for brain surgery,” Quinette’s mother, Letitia, recalls.

To remove the tumour, part of the little girl’s pituitary gland had to be removed too, leaving Quinette with numerous long-term health difficulties, including panhypopituitarism, which is the loss of pituitary function, cranial diabetes insipidus, type II diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, hypothalamic obesity, a hiatal hernia, generalised anxiety disorder and hemiplegic migraines.

For a young child, carrying the weight of so many complex conditions can feel overwhelming and isolating, filling her days with uncertainty and physical struggles far beyond what most children her age can imagine. Yet, despite these hardships, Quinette shows remarkable strength and courage, facing each day with a quiet determination that inspires those around her.

“Our daily life is a delicate balancing act of growth hormone injections, more than ten chronic medicines and careful monitoring to replace the functions Quinette’s body can no longer perform on its own,” Letitia says.

Through every challenge, Medipost Pharmacy’s Special Medications Department has been a constant source of support.

“The team at Medipost has touched our lives in ways words can never fully capture. From the very start, they stood by us. When medicines were hard to come by or approvals dragged on, they moved mountains for us. Medipost isn’t just a pharmacy to us  – they have become our partners, our advocates and truly, our lifeline.”

For Carmen Schoombee, a pharmacist at South Africa’s first courier pharmacy, Medipost Pharmacy, being part of the specialised medicines team means more than just dispensing medication. It’s about making a real difference in people’s lives. “Every day brings a chance to support, educate and stand alongside our patients. Whether it’s fast-tracking urgent authorisations or delivering medication straight to a patient’s door, every step counts.”

Carmen Schoombee

Medipost Pharmacy’s approach stands out due to its patient-first philosophy, matched by expert pharmacy services. Behind the scenes, the team manages medical scheme approvals, liaises with specialists, escalates urgent cases and ensures patients receive their treatment without unnecessary delays.

“We take care of the red tape so patients can focus on their health, not paperwork. Our goal is to make specialised medicines accessible, timely and stress-free,” adds Schoombee.

Medipost Pharmacy not only delivers chronic medication directly to its patients’ doors but also provides pharmacy advice and telephonic support in all 11 languages when needed.

“Specialised medications are costly and complex treatments for chronic or rare conditions like certain cancers, autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and haemophilia, to name a few. Getting access to these medicines is not easy – they often need strict approvals and careful timing. That is where Medipost Pharmacy comes in, making sure patients, like Quinette, never have to wait for the treatments they depend on,” Schoombee explains.

Today, Quinette is thriving, facing her health challenges with courage and determination. For her and her family, the pharmacy team’s dedication has made an immeasurable difference.

“To the entire Medipost team, thank you for walking this journey with us,” says Letitia. “You have given us hope, support and a true sense of partnership in caring for our daughter.”

“Many people don’t see the work behind the scenes, but that is where our dedication to our patients’ wellbeing truly shows. Whether it’s securing treatment for one child or a whole family relying on specialised medication, we make sure approvals are in place, orders are processed, and medicines arrive right on time. That is our focus – and we do it with passion,” Schoombee concludes.

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