How Doctors Without Borders is battling diabetes in this corner of South Africa

Since 2023, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has been supporting the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDoH) in South Africa to improve care for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension.

People living with diabetes need consistent care and medication to manage their condition. In places like Butterworth, Eastern Cape, many patients are compelled to travel long distances, sometimes up to twice a month, for treatment or screenings at health centres. This process is costly and cumbersome, and many patients default or are never initiated onto treatment. To make treatment more accessible, MSF has established four external medication pick-up points (PUPs) in rural communities, allowing patients to collect chronic medication closer to home.

Building on decades of experience tackling HIV and TB in South Africa, we are applying community-based models of care to chronic disease care. These lessons are helping demonstrate that accessible, patient-centred NCD care is achievable, even in remote settings.

To commemorate World Diabetes Day on 14 November, we share with you fresh content from our Eastern Cape NCD project including patient testimonies, photos, videos and an infographic. Patients share insights on how the project is transforming the lives of people living with chronic conditions and how MSF and other Community Based Organisations (CBOs) have partnered up to fight the two silent killers head on.