IBD Africa aims to provide a home for “all things IBD” in Southern Africa providing accurate information, education and tools and services, for doctors and other healthcare practitioners, patients, funders and the pharmaceutical industry.

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is a chronic (long-term), relapsing and remitting, inflammatory disorder of the digestive system (which may also be referred to as the gut or gastrointestinal tract).

IBD Africa is active in the advocacy space including advice for patients negotiating care benefits with funders, information on healthcare legislation and patient’s rights to care, information on IBD standards of care and advice for patients seeking access to IBD care and clinical trials.

One of the most challenging aspects of IBD care in South Africa is understanding and negotiating the complex medical aid industry. Therefore we’ve compiled a glossary of the common medical aid terms and how they apply to IBD.

IBD is a complicated condition and a “one size fits all” approach to treatment does not work. Successful treatment is dependent on your choice of specialist to manage your IBD.

Your assistance with fundraising, volunteering and campaigning would be valued and may be life-changing for people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.