Combating tropical diseases: What is still missing

The Gates Foundation-hosted conference held in London today, ‘Uniting To Combat Tropical Diseases’, draws attention to devastating tropical illnesses that have been neglected for too long. However, the ambitious goals to eliminate or control ten neglected tropical diseases will only be credible when some critical remaining gaps are filled, according to the international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Press Release - 30 Jan 2012

Cambodia

MSF steps up TB support

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is scaling up its tuberculosis support in the Cambodian province of Kampong Cham while continuing to help shape the nation’s national TB programme.
With a prevalence rate among the 22 highest in the world, tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most serious public health challenges facing Cambodia.
TB is spread through the air by an infected person coughing and is an opportunistic infection that takes advantage of weakened immune systems. Among underprivileged communities in Cambodia, weakened immune systems are all too common due to malnutrition and HIV infection. Poor hygiene and living conditions are also key contributing factors to the spread of the disease in the country. Project Update - 25 Jan 2012

Democratic Republic of Congo

85 per cent of AIDS patients deprived of treatment

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is alarmed by the situation of HIV/AIDS patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the lack of priority given by the Congolese authorities and the withdrawal of donors, all occurring as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis prepares to celebrate its tenth anniversary on 28 January. Press Release - 25 Jan 2012

Chad

Preventing another cholera epidemic

A cholera epidemic in Chad in 2010-2011 was the largest to hit the country in the last 15 years, with more than 17, 000 registered cases. Over the last year, MSF treated more than 12,700 patients – approximately three quarters of all the cases in the country. In order to prevent another emergency, there must be improved access to uncontaminated water and sanitation facilities. Project Update - 11 Jan 2012

Central African Republic

Uniting to fight the spread of malaria

On November 21-23, 2011 more than 40 malaria experts came together in Bangui to discuss their experiences and challenges treating malaria in the Central African Republic. Project Update - 3 Jan 2012

Access to medicines

Ten Stories that Mattered in Access to Medicines in 2011

This report looks at developments in 2011 that had an impact, both positive or negative, on people’s ability to access drugs, diagnostics and vaccines in developing countries. It also looks at key policy developments of the year, such as the unprecedented funding shortfalls at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Report - 22 Dec 2011

Neglected diseases

MSF statement in response to Gilead donation of AmBisome for visceral leishmaniasis

“This agreement is significant in that it helps address immediate treatment needs in some countries for one of the world’s most neglected diseases." Statement - 9 Dec 2011

HIV/AIDS

East African HIV programmes must wake up to visceral leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as ‘kala azar’, is a neglected parasitic disease spread through the bite of a sandfly. VL is endemic in 76 countries and is fatal without treatment. With new MSF data showing combination treatments give promising results, diagnosis and treatment of VL should be scaled up. Press Release - 8 Dec 2011

Meningitis

First-ever treatment guidelines released for major cause of death of people living with HIV

MSF study shows cryptococcal meningitis as leading cause of death, but access to best treatment is a major challenge Project Update - 7 Dec 2011

HIV/AIDS

At African AIDS conference, MSF calls for increased funding for HIV treatment

As Africa’s AIDS Conference convenes in Addis Ababa this Sunday, December 4, efforts to combat HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are under serious threat. Press Release - 2 Dec 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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