Photo story: Fighting Diabetes in rural eastern Cape province of South Africa

The Nyhwara medication pick-up point services the remote Dutywa community in the Mbashe local Municipality, Eastern Cape province, South Africa.
Caregiver Nokhawuntala Chithilali (left) supports patient Sinazo Litoli (right) at the Nyhwara pick-up point. By bringing care closer to home, local caregivers play a key role in helping patients manage chronic conditions like diabetes. Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi
Nomusa Menziwa, a caregiver with the Nyhwara Community Based Organisation (CBO), sits outside the MSF-supported pick-up point in Mbashe, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Nomusa delivers medication to elderly patients who cannot travel to the pickup point, checks on them at home, and encourages healthy lifestyle routines. Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

Nokhawulezile Ngontsi from Godidi Village, Eastern Cape, South Africa, used to walk about 9 kilometres to Tafalofefe Hospital to collect her diabetes medication. The MS MSF supported pick-up point, just a stone’s throw from her home, makes it much easier for her to access medicine and routine screenings. Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

Nokhawulezile Ngontsi stands outside her home in Godidi Village, 31 km outside Butterworth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. With the establishment of the ZamaT pick-up point at the Chief’s residence, she now travels far less to access her medication. Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

MSF staff member Zizo Kawe is based at the Tyhali pick-up-point in Godidi Village, about 31 km from Butterworth in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Here, she supports diabetes patients in managing their condition through tpoints e distribution of medication at the pick up points ​ and health education. The pick-up point has brought care closer to the homes of rural patients, reducing the need for them to travel long distances to hospitals or clinics. Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

Between consultations, MSF staff member Zizo Kawe, carefully monitors records, a crucial part in ensuring continuity of care for people living with chronic diseases. Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

Building healthier futures, one step at a time. The Iliso community-based organisation (CBO) facilitates peer-led group gatherings where community members support each other's journey to better health. Picture credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

MSF Health Promotion Officer Siphokazi Mtshizana (right) speaks with a Eastern Cape Department of Health patient, Simphiwe Kamden, about the importance of treatment adherence at Tafalofefe Hospital, ​ in Cendane, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

MSF health promotion officer Siphokazi Mtshizana receives a new batch of medication from a Department of Health (DoH) staff member headed to one of the community pick-up points. The transportation of medication from DoH facilities to local pick-up points helps ensure a reliable supply for chronic patients.

Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

As part of its work to strengthen local health systems, MSF supplies surrounding health centres with the equipment needed to screen and manage diabetes. Staff members like Manando ‘Nande’ Noganta pack these vital supplies, ensuring patients receive timely care. Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

At Nqamakwe Community Health Centre in Nqamakwe, Eastern Cape, South Africa, MSF staff Israel Chingosho and Fezile Jidane deliver vital diabetes care equipment, enabling improved screening and management for patients in the area. Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

MSF driver Fezile Jidane at the MSF office, ready to transport teams and deliver care to communities in need. Drawing on his extensive experience with the Khayelitsha project, which for more than 20 years pioneered innovative responses to HIV and drug-resistant TB in South Africa’s Western Cape, Fezile says, “I feel good being here because we’re helping people who really need it. When we arrived, there were many gaps in access to care; people struggled to reach clinics to get their medication. Now, with MSF’s support, medicines are much closer to where they live.” Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

MSF driver Bonga Ngxowa stands next to an MSF vehicle that supports the Eastern Cape Department of Health and community partners in delivering essential health services to hard-to-reach rural areas. Drivers like Bonga play a vital role in the programme, ensuring MSF teams can safely reach remote communities and deliver much-needed care. Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

MSF driver Sabelo Mhlongo supports MSF teams in Butterworth, Eastern Cape province, ensuring they reach remote communities and health facilities. Previously, he worked on the Eshowe HIV/AIDS project in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, helping bring HIV and TB care closer to people’s homes. ​ Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

Doctor Jan Krisna Rodriguez is the project medical coordinator for MSF’s Eastern Cape project in South Africa. She supports the Department of Health, local communities, and community-based organisations to strengthen access to quality care for patients with chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Photo Credit: Vusimuzi Shiburi

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