Doctors without Borders
Fight against U.S pharmaceutical giant hots up
The fight against biotech giant Vertex Pharmaceuticals is gaining traction in South Africa. It holds the patent to Trikafta, currently the only effective treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF). The drug is only accessible to wealthy patients in wealthy nations. Trikafta…
Childhood TB: Failure in guidelines update leaves SA kids behind
Despite the availability of a new shorter treatment regimen for children with non-severe tuberculosis(TB), South African children are stuck with the longer six-month prescription. This is because the country failed to update guidelines for the management of childhood TB since…
Gauteng policies a danger to migrant maternal care
In South Africa, reports of xenophobic incidents are a daily reality. Now migrants using the country’s strained public health system is a hot-button issue as impartial access to healthcare has recently become highly politicised. Operation Dudula’s anti-migrant protestors targeted the…
Healthcare for undocumented migrants
As xenophobic sentiment appears to mount in SA, Kalafong Hospital management has taken legal steps to stop Operation Dudula members from preventing undocumented migrants from accessing healthcare. Hospital management told Health-e News on Friday they have an interdict to stop…
MSF helps KZN residents piece their lives together post floods
Almost three months after the devastating floods in KwaZulu Natal, communities are still pleading for help, stricken after losing their homes and livelihoods. The local arm of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) continues to attend to the needs of hard hit areas.…
A breakthrough in the treatment of drug-resistant TB signals shorter and safer treatment for patients
People battling rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) could soon have access to a shorter and safer course of treatment. Doctors without Borders (MSF) have released the results from a clinical trial on an all oral six-month treatment regime. Current treatment can last…