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
 
Malawi

Detained for having a dream

Voices from the Field 24 Jul 2015
 
The Stop Stocks Outs Project South Africa April 2015
South Africa

Drug shortages threaten progress made in the world’s largest HIV programme

Press Release 11 Jun 2015
 
The Stop Stocks Outs Project South Africa April 2015
South Africa

Drug shortages - testimonies from patients and medical staff

Voices from the Field 11 Jun 2015
 
IDP Camps Durban April 2015
South Africa

MSF adapts medical response to needs of people displaced by xenophobic violence, providing psychological care for those traumatized

Press Release 21 May 2015
 
South Africa

MSF teams respond to health needs of displaced people in South Africa following xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals

Press Release 21 Apr 2015
 
HIV/AIDS

International Women's Day: Medical and psychosocial support for teenagers with HIV

Project Update 4 Mar 2015
 
Patients count their pills in a CAG members meeting
HIV/AIDS

Community models of care explained

Project Update 26 Nov 2014
 
WAD 2014 PORTRAIT - Zimbabwe
HIV/AIDS

Beyond the rhetoric: Implement proven community strategies to fight HIV/AIDS

Press Release 20 Nov 2014
 
XDR-TB can be cured. The story of Phumeza Tisile.
Tuberculosis

Linezolid Fact Sheet

Report 1 Jul 2014

Contact us

Bending the Curves - Eshowe HIV
MSF South Africa

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