South Africa
In South Africa, Médecins Sans Frontières assisted foreign nationals physically blocked from accessing public health facilities by antimigrant groups, while continuing to run a non-communicable diseases (NCDs) project in Butterworth.
Our activities in 2025 —
consultations for high blood pressure
consultations for diabetes
families who received relief items
From July through September, anti-migrant groups camped outside dozens of clinics and hospitals in Gauteng, preventing foreign nationals, including pregnant women and people living with HIV, from seeking medical care.
Our teams refilled antiretroviral medication for people living with HIV who could not collect it themselves at the blocked health facilities, and we referred patients to alternative health facilities unaffected by blockages.
Throughout 2025, we continued to run an non-communicable disease (NCD) project in Butterworth, Eastern Cape province, in partnership with the Department of Health. To strengthen skills for NCD management, we launched a side-by-side nurse mentorship and coaching programme across seven facilities, and classroom-based training for health professionals in 60 Department of Health facilities. In addition, to promote patient wellbeing, we piloted healthy lifestyle groups with two community-based organisations, focusing on educating members on nutrition, diet, and exercise. Participants were then encouraged to engage in healthy cooking and gardening activities, organised in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.
After training health staff, we piloted the use of HbA1c blood testing for diabetes1 in five of the seven facilities. In addition, we donated equipment and supplies for NCD management and diagnosis, such as digital blood pressure monitors, vital signs monitors, height and weight scales, and glucometers.
By the end of 2025, we had renovated and equipped an additional external pick-up point for medication, bringing the total number to four. Pick-up points provide reliable and accessible medicines for patients with chronic diseases. They are managed by trained community members, who distribute the medication free of charge to patients on behalf of the government.
1 This form of testing provides a longer-term understanding of glycaemic control, particularly for people who are prediabetic or living with Type 2 diabetes.