MSF
 
 
What We Do - MSF South Africa

MSF projects in South Africa and Lesotho

Since 2000 MSF has been working in South Africa, primarily in response to the HIV epidemic. In Khayelitsha, the largest township in the Western Cape, MSF has worked with the provincial authorities to pioneer comprehensive HIV treatment, including antiretroviral (ARV) medicines, at a primary care level. Today, these clinics support over 6,000 people on ARV therapy.

In 2003, together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, MSF opened a similar programme in Lusikisiki, one of the most underserved areas of rural Eastern Cape. By 2005 universal ARV coverage had been achieved and in 2006 the programme was finally handed over to the provincial health authorities.

At the same time, MSF was opening a programme in Lesotho based on the model implemented in Lusikisiki. There, MSF and the health authorities started a pilot nurse-based programme to provide HIV/Aids and TB care. In less than two years, nearly 2,000 people had been initiated on ARV treatment.

Together, these programmes have done more than simply treat patients. They have provided vital lessons about how comprehensive treatment for HIV can practically be delivered both in rural and urban settings. At the same time, MSF has been lobbying, with many others, for cheaper medicines, more global funding for the HIV crisis and changes in policy towards the epidemic,

Despite the successes, many challenges remain, such as the problems of TB and HIV co-infection, drug-resistant strains of TB and the issue of long-term adherence to ARV treatment. MSF works with patients, academics, local health authorities and international experts to find innovative and practical solutions to these problems. In response to the high levels of sexual violence in Khayelitsha, MSF supports the Simelela centre for rape survivors – a one-stop location which combines practical medical care to protect against infection and psychological support with police and forensic assistance. MSF also keeps its capacity to react to new humanitarian needs arising in South Africa.

In 2007, MSF opened an office in Johannesburg. The new office supports MSF programmes in the region and elsewhere by providing medical expertise, recruiting medical and other professionals and fundraising. MSF in Johannesburg also speaks out about medical and humanitarian crises faced by vulnerable communities by sharing information with the South African public, the media, government agencies, and other non-governmental organisations.
 
MSF also keeps its capacity to react to new humanitarian needs arising in South Africa.
 
In 2007, Zimbabweans started massively to seek refuge in South Africa, mostly illegally, due to the collapse of the economy and the political violence nationwide. MSF launched two projects providing humanitarian relief and medical assistance at the end of 2007.
 
In Musina, MSF provides medical care for the new arrivals in Musina town and along the border in remote rural and farm areas. MSF provides primary healthcare for the survivals migrants, and work in collaboration with the public hospital either for referral for secondary level of care or chronic patient assessment and treatment of HIV & TB.
 
MSF also started its medical intervention in downtown Johannesburg next to the Central Methodist Church (CMC) where migrants seek refuge every night despite the appaling living conditions that are inappropriate for children and for adults. MSF in Johannesburg carry out primary health care clinic, and also support on water, sanitation, and punctual relief assistance. The team also aimed at documenting the pattern of clients that are coming from surroundings settlement in Central Business District and seeking care in the clinic.
 
Two years down the line, hundreds of Zimbabwean are still crossing the border every day for the same reasons. Although the global situation has changed in Zimbabwe, there are still many areas of insecurity that cause this survival migration.