Doctors Without Borders in the Bay
Closer to home, Médecins Sans Frontières is known for implementing mobile HIV testing units and a mobile clinic in eShowe.
IN their quest to gain the much-needed support countrywide, Doctors Without Borders South Africa/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) representatives Prince Moalafi and Bongolethu Maqungo undertook a fund-raising campaign at the Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre last week.
The dynamic duo took to the centre’s busy passages to persuade festive shoppers to sign up and support the humanitarian organisation.
‘Although South Africa’s health system is in a healthy condition compared to the rest of the world, there are still many people out there who cannot afford good healthcare,’said team leader Maqungo
‘Hopefully we can enlighten Zululand residents about this project and more especially convince them to pledge their support by registering with us and contributing a minimum monthly fee,’ she added.
The independent organisation relies solely on donors for funding, which is crucial in providing medical assistance to millions of needy people. Challenges faced by MSF still exists, 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.
Speaking to one of the individuals who decided to make the pledge, Sinathemba Siqalabo said enthusiastically, ‘I don’t earn much, but I can make a difference in someone’s life. I’m a firm believer in helping out the next person.’
Closer to home, MSF is known for implementing mobile HIV testing units and a mobile clinic in eShowe for people who are unable to obtain proper healthcare.
Provision of emergency medicine, response to epidemics, nutrition and vaccination campaigns, operating feeding centres for malnourished children, mental health care and support to hospitals and clinics are some of MSF South Africa’s projects.
For more information about Doctors Without Borders South Africa, visit www.msf.org.za
