Increase in fighting in Malakal, southern Sudan; MSF treats 24 wounded

“Our main concern is that people in need of medical care can receive it,” said Head of Mission Voitek Asztabski. “Our team worked tirelessly to treat those who reached Malakal hospital. However, it is crucial that all those involved in hostilities ensure that people are able to access emergency medical care.” Project Update - 15 Mar 2011

South Africa

Scaling up Diagnosis and Treatment of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis in Khayelitsha, South Africa

Khayelitsha is a township with one of the highest burdens of HIV infection and tuberculosis in South Africa. Since 2007, MSF, the City of Cape Town and the Provincial Government of the Western Cape have been carrying out a pilot project to provide treatment to DR-TB patients at the primary care level. Report - 11 Mar 2011

Somalia

UK undermines its own Somalia aid with a political agenda

In recent years, numerous aid agencies have been shut down by warring parties, usually without justification but routinely with the accusation of having an agenda other than humanitarian. Statement - 10 Mar 2011

Fistula

Fistula reconstructive surgery returns lives, dignity and well-being

Sigrid describes what took place in one of the MSF fistula camps, from mid-November to the end of December, 2010, in Boguila, a town in western Central African Republic. In the second of two fistula camps that MSF organized in the country, 65 women were treated. Voices from the Field - 8 Mar 2011

Nigeria

Preventing and treating obstetric fistulas in Nigeria

Obstetric fistulas, most often the result of prolonged obstructed labor, is an opening that occurs between the bladder and the vagina, or between the rectum and the vagina and causes a woman to become incontinent, among other devastating medical and social consequences. According to the UN, an estimated two million women live with fistulas today—about half of them in Nigeria. Voices from the Field - 8 Mar 2011

Fistula

The 'backyard disease'

In Burundi, MSF set up a special centre at the Gitega regional hospital that is devoted exclusively to these operations. Every year it operates on 350 women. Project Update - 7 Mar 2011

Kala azar

One year after opening a kala azar center in Sudan

“This last year MSF, with the Ministry of Health, was able to save many lives,” said Kevin Coppock, MSF Head of Mission in Sudan. "We plan to share diagnostic tools with other health centers and provide training to local medical staff on performing a kala azar diagnostic test. This way people will not have to travel for hours to get tested, our hope is that we will be able to save many more lives.” Press Release - 7 Mar 2011

Sudan

MSF continues medical services in Abyei area, Sudan

The situation has been relatively calm on this morning, allowing our teams to work in the area although we are still waiting for the permission to give assistance to population in the north of the Abyei area. Statement - 7 Mar 2011

Women's health

The other Butterfly Effect: MSF treats women injured in childbirth

An estimated two million women live with fistula worldwide, most in Africa. This problem is largely hidden because it often affects young women who live in poor and remote areas, with very limited to no access maternal health care. Project Update - 7 Mar 2011

Côte d'Ivoire

Marked deterioration of situation in west of Ivory Coast

As the population flees violence, medical personnel are deserting health posts. Faced with this increasing volatility, MSF medical teams are adapting their operations and the organization is asking all parties to the conflict to allow its medical teams to care for patients, regardless of their affiliations.
“It is critical for patients to have access to health facilities,” said Mego Terzian, MSF emergency coordinator. “MSF medical teams, who strictly adhere to the principles of impartiality and neutrality, must be able to care for patients, regardless of their affiliation.” Press Release - 4 Mar 2011

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

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We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistic and administrative staff - most of them hired locally. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence and impartiality. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation.

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