Everybody Breathes: Treating TB in Eshowe, South Africa

South Africa

In South Africa, we respond to disease epidemics, such as HIV and tuberculosis, and assist migrants with access to healthcare.

We work with undocumented people and migrants in Tshwane, where we run a project that provides access to medical care for these underserved communities.

MSF teams also respond to emergencies, such as flash floods in KwaZulu-Natal province and in the aftermath of violence.

In KwaZulu-Natal province, our project’s community-oriented approach is to increase integrated HIV testing and TB screening, as well as access and adherence to HIV treatment. We also advocate for better access and pricing to new drugs and vaccines.

Our activities in 2021 in South Africa

Data and information from the International Activity Report 2021.

MSF in South Africa in 2021 In South Africa, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) supported the COVID-19 response, while continuing to provide care for HIV and tuberculosis (TB) patients, victims of sexual violence and vulnerable migrants.
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MSF’s project in Eshowe, Mbongolwane and Ngwelezane in KwaZulu-Natal province responded to two major COVID-19 waves in 2021, by sending doctors and nurses to work in the COVID-19 wards of five hospitals. The project’s TB activities were closed for a week in July due to widespread social unrest in the province, in which more than 300 people died. In the immediate aftermath, we launched an emergency response, providing first aid and essential items such as blankets and hygiene kits, to support affected communities and health facilities.

To mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the uptake of TB services, our HIV/TB project in Khayelitsha, in Western Cape province, provided home-based care to patients. We also gave TB preventive treatment to more than 150 individuals who were exposed to the disease in their homes. 

In the cities of Tshwane and Johannesburg, where we run a migrant health project, we supported COVID-19 vaccination activities for undocumented people. For these marginalised groups, the lack of any identifying documentation poses a barrier to healthcare. To facilitate better access to medical services, we worked with our partners to develop ‘Green Book’ healthcare cards, which are recognised by local health authorities in lieu of identifying documentation. 

In June, we handed over our sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) project in Rustenburg on South Africa’s Platinum Belt to the provincial health department. Recognising the need for a better medical and psychological response to rape, MSF teams developed community-based health hubs, which provided care to thousands of SGBV victims. The project additionally supported safe abortion care in Bojanala district, with our staff performing thousands of abortion procedures between 2018 and 2021. 
 

 

in 2021
 
Untreated Violence
Sexual violence

Untreated Violence: Critical gaps in medical and clinical forensic care for survivors of sexual violence in South Africa

org.za 1 Nov 2017
 
Nsanje: Treating advanced HIV
Access to medicines

MSF at the 48th Union World Conference on Lung Health

Event 10 Oct 2017
 
Destroyed Ambulances in East Ghouta, Syria
Global health

MSF urges G20 to take action on health issues

Press Release 6 Jul 2017
 
Untreated Violence
South Africa

Sexual violence in platinum mining belt a major driver of HIV

Press Release 20 Feb 2017
 
Nonyanyiso Baloi - MSF Treatment For TB in South Africa.
Photo Story

Treating drug resistant TB in the Western Cape

26 Oct 2016
Photo Story
 
Nonyanyiso Baloi - MSF Treatment For TB in South Africa.
South Africa

I'm doing everything I couldn't do before

Voices from the Field 25 Oct 2016
 
MSF TB Treatment in Mumbai, India
Photo Story

"Providing comprehensive treatment for patients with tuberculosis"

25 Oct 2016
Photo Story
 
Untreated Violence
South Africa

All rape survivors should have access to comprehensive medical and psychosocial care

Project Update 19 Aug 2016
 
Untreated Violence
Sexual violence

Untreated Violence: The need for patient-centred care for survivors of sexual violence

org.za 1 Aug 2016

Contact us

Bending the Curves - Eshowe HIV
MSF South Africa

7th Floor, Zurich House
70 Fox Street, Marshalltown
Johannesburg
South Africa