Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Southern Africa

Did you know that over 4 million South Africans are living with diabetes? Diabetes is the leading cause of death among women in South Africa and one of the top killers of men. When undiagnosed or poorly managed, it can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and vision loss. 🚨 Key symptoms to watch for include: Persistent thirst and hunger Frequent urination Blurry vision Dry mouth and itchy skin While these symptoms alone aren’t a definitive diagnosis, early testing is critical to prevent long-term complications.

The climate crisis has a devastating and increasing toll on people’s health. MSF medical teams are responding to health and humanitarian situations linked to the changing climate in multiple locations across the world. The real cost of the climate crisis is largely paid by people living in developing countries - the ones we see in our waiting rooms. They are paying with their health and their lives for a problem they did not create. Yet far too little is being done to protect them. We need to see meaningful action to protect the health of the those most affected by climate change. Key considerations include: 1️⃣Climate action that equals the scale of the climate emergency and that includes solutions to safeguard health. 2️⃣Real commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which cause massive 3️⃣health problems worldwide. 4️⃣Concrete financial and technical support that reaches the people who suffer the heaviest impacts of climate change. 📽️:

We’re suspending our activities until further notice in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. On 11 November, an MSF ambulance transporting three young people with gunshot wounds was stopped by Haitian police about 100 metres from the MSF hospital in the Drouillard area of Port-au-Prince in Haiti and was forced to proceed with a transfer to a public hospital. After an attempt to arrest the patients and firing shots in the air, the police escorted the ambulance to Hôpital La Paix. Once there, law enforcement officers and members of a self-defence group surrounded the ambulance, slashed the tires, and tear-gassed MSF staff inside the vehicle to force them out. They then took the wounded patients a short distance away, outside the hospital grounds, where at least two of them were executed. "As MSF, we accept working in conditions of insecurity, but when even law enforcement becomes a direct threat, we have no choice but to suspend admissions of patients," Christophe Garnier, MSF's head of mission in Haiti. Learn more: https://msfsa.me/3ZeSEO6

The Liwale District in Tanzania faces healthcare challenges, particularly among expectant women and children, due to its remote location, inadequate road infrastructure, limited healthcare facilities, and a lack of medical resources. To address these challenges, our teams and the Ministry of Health in Tanzania have significantly strengthened the district’s health infrastructure, creating a safer environment for mothers, children and people needing urgent medical care. In August 2022, MSF started working in this region and established a maternity unit at the Liwale Health Centre to reduce maternal mortality and improve care for mothers and children under five. The project provides essential medical support and health education for pregnant women, improves access to quality primary and secondary healthcare for mothers and children, and supports local health authorities. Learn more: https://msfsa.me/3UWsw87

Our fight against HIV just got a major boost as our team lays the ground for the anticipated rollout of long-acting injectable PrEP, Cabotegravir (CAB-LA), in Several African countries; this innovative injection, taken once every two months, offers even better protection against HIV than daily oral pills. After successful negotiations with ViiV, the sole manufacturer, we secured a limited number of CAB-LA doses; we are preparing to introduce this innovative method in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and Eswatini later this year. Why CAB-LA is a game changer: 1️⃣ One injection every two months, 2️⃣ Visit the clinic for your shot and stay protected, and 3️⃣ A discreet alternative for those who prefer it. This encourages individuals to maintain their prevention efforts easily and confidently because it offers greater convenience and enhanced privacy, as some prefer a more discreet prevention method. It makes it a powerful tool for those facing daily oral medication challenges. "CAB-LA and other long-acting formulations have the potential to transform HIV prevention globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. For many at-risk populations, the combination of privacy, convenience, and effectiveness will be a critical factor in reducing new infections," says Dr Antonio Flores, MSF HIV/TB advisor based in South Africa. While we celebrate this progress, the journey is far from over. Ensuring an adequate and affordable supply, addressing systemic barriers, and scaling globally remain key challenges. Our teams have already begun training healthcare professionals to bring this innovation to life. Learn more: https://msfsa.me/3YXoE83

Prematurity affects nearly one in ten children globally and is the leading cause of death for children under five, but mortality rates are disproportionally higher in low-income countries due to limited healthcare resources. Today, for World Prematurity Day, we would like to highlight the scale of this issue and showcase MSF's Life-Saving Efforts In high-mortality regions like the Central African Republic (CAR) and Nigeria. In CAR and Nigeria, the mortality rates due to prematurity are respectively 17 and 7 times higher than in Western Europe. Approximately three-quarters of premature infant deaths could be prevented if basic medical services were available during and after pregnancy. Besides the risk of death, preterm babies also risk lifelong health consequences, with a notably increased likelihood of disability and developmental delays. Our teams support preventative activities (like regular pregnancy follow-up services) and specialised care facilities that offer free emergency obstetric and neonatal care, significantly preventing premature birth and aiding premature infants' survival. Learn more: https://msfsa.me/4fq1jD5

Last Thursday, on #WorldDiabetesDay, our teams came together to raise awareness, spread knowledge, and support the community of Ntlabane in Kulokhala, Eastern Cape, South Africa. This is a hard-to-reach area where people travel up to 10km to reach a local clinic. That's why Doctors Without Borders, in partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Health, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Aquity Innovation, Eastern Cape Agriculture, SAPS, TB HIV Care, and Department of Social Development, came together to provide much-needed services, health screenings, and health education about diabetes. This year’s theme was Diabetes and wellbeing, a reminder to prioritise physical wellbeing through exercise💪🏽, good nutrition🥗 and treatment adherence💊.

Transporting patients through Akor, Old Ndebeji, and Calabar in southern Nigeria, is no simple task. For MSF driver Patrick A. Njok, the past two years have been marked by determination and resilience as he faces difficult terrain daily to ensure patients access the care they need. Since May 2022, our teams have supported two primary healthcare centres in Akor and Old Ndebeji. Over 13,583 patients have received treatment in our facilities despite the logistical challenges since January 2024. Watch 📽️

Diabetes ranks among the top 10 causes of death globally and affects over half a billion people worldwide. But today, diabetes medicines, which can reduce complications and even deaths, are unavailable in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like South Africa. Today, on #WorldDiabetesDay, we marched to Novo Nordisk in Sandton, South Africa, urging Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company, Sanofi, and all insulin manufacturers to take urgent action to increase access to diabetes treatment in low—and middle-income countries by immediately making insulin pen injection devices available at US$1 (R17,81) per pen. These pharmaceutical corporations control and monopolise the diabetes market,** making business and manufacturing decisions that affect people's access to insulin and often setting prices of their newer insulin as high as they want. "Everyone living with diabetes deserves access to the highest standard of treatment and care, and the fact that insulin pens are virtually unavailable in low- and middle-income countries due to high prices is a glaring and unacceptable double standard," said Candice Sehoma, advocacy advisor for MSF's Access Campaign. Find out more: https://msfsa.me/3AIp36g

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Southern Africa is working in partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDoH), local organisations, and the community to improve services for patients with chronic health conditions, focusing on type 2 diabetes and hypertension.   Diabetes is a growing public health concern in South Africa, with a prevalence rate of around 12.7% among adults (NHI), and it is currently the country's second-biggest killer disease. In the Eastern Cape, where MSF works, access to healthcare services remains a significant barrier, particularly for people living in rural areas far from health facilities.   This collaborative initiative aims to address this chronic disease by supporting primary healthcare facilities to improve standards of care for chronic diseases, establishing external pick-up points in rural areas where patients can collect their medicines and have essential health services closer to home, and empowering communities to form Healthy Lifestyle groups focused on taking care of their own health and well-being.