Mt Elgon Report: Civilians trapped between a rock and a hard place

No Refuge, Access Denied: Medical and humanitarian needs of Zimbabweans in South Africa
© Austin Andrews

MSF medical teams treat 4,000-5,000 Zimbabweans each month, mainly for respiratory tract infections, including a substantial proportion of tuberculosis; sexually transmitted infections; gastro-intestinal and diarrhoeal conditions; and stress-related ailments. More than 30% of HIV tests performed are positive. Yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands more Zimbabweans who never come forward to access MSF or other health services, choosing instead to protect themselves by becoming invisible in South African society.

No food or medicines here until you die - Guinea prisons

In September 2008, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) started a medical and nutritional emergency intervention in the civilian prison of Guéckédou in southeastern Republic of Guinea. Upon arrival, MSF found malnutrition in one in three adult male prisoners, with one in five suffering severe malnutrition. Appalling hygienic conditions had led to dehydration and rampant skin and respiratory infections. Overcrowded cells found both minors together with adults and prisoners with tuberculosis together with other inmates.

Full Prescription: Better malaria treatment for more people, MSF's experience
Addressing malaria and its far-reaching consequences is presented as a priority for many stakeholders worldwide. Both public health specialists and economists stress the importance of controlling the disease and increased attention is being given to fighting malaria, both in countries affected and among international donors.

Somalia: Reaching Out
2006 was an exceptional year for MSF's projects in Somalia. Our staff performed more than 300,000 outpatient consultations and 10,000 inpatients were admitted in our hospitals. Many of MSF's established projects have increased and expanded their activities in the past year. MSF's presence shows that it is possible to provide both primary and, in many cases, secondary health services in Somalia.