Malnutrition in the Sahel requires long-term solutions

The annual peak of malnutrition in the Sahel region has begun, exacerbated in parts of the region by higher market prices, epidemics and political instability. One million severely malnourished children are expected to receive treatment. "Nutritional crises are recurrent and cyclical in this region, but this year, additional factors have created pockets where malnutrition is even higher than usual." Press Release - 17 Jul 2012

Malnutrition

Malnutrition in Sahel

One million severely malnourished children will be treated this year in the countries of the Sahel*. MSF is scaling up its emergency response. Growing awareness of the extent of the crisis has led to improved care. Nonetheless, these recurrent nutritional crises in the Sahel will require a new approach to prevent children from suffering from malnutrition, year after year. MSF’s Susan Shepherd, pediatrician, and Stéphane Doyon, nutrition specialist, response to questions about this. Voices from the Field - 17 Jul 2012

HIV/AIDS

Progress Under Threat: Perspectives on the HIV treatment gap

While significant gains made in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the past decade are encouraging, countries most affected by the pandemic continue to struggle to place enough people on treatment and to implement the best science and strategies to fight the disease. Report - 4 Jul 2012

Central African Republic

Child death rate alarmingly high

An “alarmingly high” number of children under the age of five are dying in parts of Central African Republic, according to the findings of a new mortality survey conducted by MSF. A principal reason is the absence of easily accessible healthcare, with 60 per cent of under-fives dying at home and 13 per cent on the journey to hospital. Project Update - 3 Jul 2012

Malnutrition and measles vaccination in Mogadishu

Somalia

Steep increase in measles cases

Measles is a major killer in Somalia and it’s easily preventable. Vaccination - with high coverage and proper vaccine management - is critical to saving lives in Somalia. MSF asks all authorities to support emergency vaccination programmes throughout Somalia. Project Update - 8 Jun 2012

Somalia

The risks of childbirth

MSF expanded its medical services in Galkayo North in December 2011 by adding maternity and obstetric care. The number of deliveries has since boomed to about 200 per month, many coming from increasingly far away. Project Update - 6 Jun 2012

Zimbabwe

HIV patients should not bear financial burden of donor retreat

In Zimbabwe, there are at least 66,000 people living with HIV who face the prospect of losing their current access to lifesaving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment because of a dangerous shortfall of international funding for local treatment programmes. MSF urges donors to make sufficient funding available for free and effective HIV treatment to all who need it. Project Update - 6 Jun 2012

Guinea

MSF vaccinates 117,000 people against cholera

MSF has vaccinated 117,000 people against cholera in the region of Boffa, 150 km north of Conakry, the Guinean capital. This is the first time that people in Africa have been protected during a cholera outbreak by a two-dose oral vaccine. Press Release - 1 Jun 2012

Malnutrition

MSF's dual response to an expected nutritional crisis

The annual "hunger season" seems likely to be particularly serious in the Sahel this year, and a few regions may face acute nutritional crises in the coming months. MSF is expanding its nutritional activities to address the seasonal “peak” in malnutrition rates, while also developing longer-term approaches to be integrated into regular programs. Project Update - 30 Mar 2012

MSF TB treatment in north Uganda, 2011-12

Tuberculosis

From the Ground Up: Building a Drug-Resistant TB programme in Uganda

Uganda is one of the world's 22 high burden countries for tuberculosis (TB). In this report, MSF calls on all key stakeholders to assure quality rapid TB diagnosis, treatment and care, and argues that a scale-up of the decentralized and community-based approach, including access to second-line TB drugs at district level, is the most feasible method of averting the country's impending health crisis. Report - 29 Mar 2012

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

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