Despite better access to treatment, many AIDS patients in African hospitals still die

A new MSF study shows that 50% of AIDS inpatients in Homa Bay hospital, Kenya, are failing their treatment. Press Release - 27 Nov 2015

Swaziland - Figthing HIV and TB dual epidemic

HIV/AIDS

Countries should take up new WHO ‘test and treat’ guidelines

MSF welcomes progress on getting HIV treatment to more people and urges all affected countries to take up new World Health Organization (WHO) ‘test and treat’ guidelines before next June’s UN High-level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, where donor governments should commit to a funding plan to close the global treatment gaps. Press Release - 24 Nov 2015

Lesotho

Free maternal care has an impressive return on investment

Free maternal healthcare is a relatively cheap measure that has a large impact in saving lives of women and newborns. Press Release - 3 Nov 2015

South Sudan

Trapped by violence in Unity state

Spiralling violence in Unity state is having a devastating effect on the civilian population and leading to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. “The civilian population is being subjected to repeated and targeted violence,” says MSF emergency manager Tara Newell. “MSF has not seen this level of violence and brutality before.” Press Release - 30 Oct 2015

Yemen

MSF hospital destroyed by airstrikes

Airstrikes carried out late last night by the Saudi-led coalition in northern Yemen destroyed a small MSF supported hospital. Hospital staff and patients managed to escape before subsequent airstrikes occurred over a two hour period. With the hospital destroyed, at least 200,000 people now have no access to lifesaving medical care. Press Release - 27 Oct 2015

South Africa

South Africa should override patent on key HIV medicine after widespread stock out problem

Stock outs of critical HIV drug LPV/r are causing thousands of South Africans to go without HIV treatment, potentially leading to drug resistance developing or people becoming sick. The stock out is due to pharma company AbbVie - which holds patents on the drug, preventing generics being produced or imported - not providing enough of a supply. The South African government needs to issue a compulsory licence, which allows generic versions to be produced, used or imported in the country, in order to ensure access to lifesaving treatment for people. “People are being turned away from clinics without medicine and are being asked to purchase it on the private market. Many simply cannot afford it and this causes distress,” said Dr. Amir Shroufi, MSF’s Deputy Medical Coordinator in South Africa. “Alarmingly, people without access to treatment over time can become resistant to lopinavir/ritonavir and require more expensive medicines – they also risk falling sick and could even die.” Press Release - 27 Oct 2015

India

At African Union – India meeting, leaders should work together to protect access to affordable medicines

“African leaders really should see this summit as an opportunity to work together with Prime Minister Modi to protect affordable access for people across the developing world”, said Dr Van Cutsem. “They need to remember that millions of people in Africa are alive today because of affordable medicines made in India.” Press Release - 26 Oct 2015

South Sudan

No medical assistance available in Leer, following repeated lootings of MSF facility

MSF was forced to suspend medical activities and evacuate its team from Leer, after a MSF's compound in Leer was looted twice by well-organized armed men on 2 and 3 October. “MSF strongly condemns these armed robberies of its medical personnel and facilities,” says MSF Emergency Manager Tara Newell. “These incidents have forced MSF to suspend its medical activities in Leer and they are responsible for depriving the population of urgently needed medical assistance.” Press Release - 6 Oct 2015

HIV/AIDS

MSF applauds World Health Organization move toward treatment for everyone with HIV

“It’s no longer only a question of when to start people on treatment, but also how to help people stay on treatment for life and to maintain ‘undetectable’ levels of virus in their blood," says said Dr Marc Biot, MSF’s operational coordinator for HIV. " We need to make sure HIV treatment fits into people’s lives better, just like with any other chronic disease in industrialized countries.” Press Release - 30 Sep 2015

Syria

Kobane Health Administration launches a measles vaccination campaign with support of MSF

“The campaign took place in four locations in Kobane town to provide easy access to vaccination sites for residents” said Jason Mills, MSF Head of Mission. The Kobane Health Administration, in cooperation with MSF teams, provided measles vaccination and vitamin A for children between six month and five years of age. The campaign started on 18 of August and lasted for six days in town; followed by three days in four rural locations in the canton. “The teams vaccinated 3,410 children in Kobane town and 2,366 in the surrounding villages.” Mills added. Press Release - 29 Sep 2015

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

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We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistic and administrative staff - most of them hired locally. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence and impartiality. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation.

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