MSF evacuates over 70 war-wounded by boat from Misrata

The boat arrived early today at the port-city of Sfax, Tunisia and the patients were transferred to hospitals to receive urgent medical care. Upon arrival, Tunisian health authorities organized the transfer of the patients to a dozen medical facilities. Thanks to their support, as well as the efforts of the medical staff in Misrata who risked their safety, the evacuation and medical treatment of the patients was made possible. Press Release - 4 Apr 2011

Côte d'Ivoire

Ivory Coast civilians must not be targeted - must have access to medical care

"The population is yet again suffering the consequences of fighting," said Renzo Fricke, MSF emergency coordinator. "Our teams transfer patients who need emergency surgery but there are many other patients facing problems, ranging from severe malaria to complicated labor and deliveries. They require urgent treatment too, but the difficulty of moving from one place to another is threatening patients' lives.” Press Release - 31 Mar 2011

Tuberculosis

New TB test to detect more people who need DR-TB treatment

WORLD TB DAY Press Release: A promising new diagnostic test will finally help detect more people with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), increasing the urgency to solve major problems around the pricing and supply of DR-TB medicines, according to a new report by MSF. Press Release - 24 Mar 2011

Libya

MSF extremely concerned with plight of wounded; calls for unhindered access to medical care

“Our main challenge today is to gain immediate access to the people affected by violence inside Libya,” said Bruno Jochum, director of operations at MSF. “Despite ongoing intense fighting, our medical teams, who have been deliberately blocked at the Tunisian border in Ras Ajdir for weeks now, do not see any injured patients authorised to cross into Tunisia. It is essential that people have the possibility to flee combat zones to find refuge in safe areas inside Libya or abroad.” Press Release - 12 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

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

HIV/AIDS

Thousands of HIV+ people march in Delhi with plea to Indian government

“More than 80% of the AIDS drugs our medical practitioners use to treat 175,000 people in developing countries are affordable generics from India,” said Paul Cawthorne, of MSF’s Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines. “Beyond AIDS, we rely on producers in India for drugs to treat other illnesses, such as tuberculosis and malaria. We can not afford to let our patients’ lifeline be cut.” Press Release - 2 Mar 2011

Sudan

Clashes displace thousands of people in Darfur

"People fled suddenly and arrived with nothing but their clothes. Initially they set up makeshift shelters made out of their clothes and grass, to help protect them from the cold nights," explained Cristina Falconi, MSF head of mission in Sudan. “MSF is providing plastic sheeting, blankets, mats, soap and jerry cans that will help people cope with their most basic need. Now that all the attention is focused on southern Sudan’s referendum, we shouldn't forget that there are pressing medical needs in Darfur." Press Release - 7 Feb 2011

Greece

Immediate action needed to improve unbearable living conditions in detention facilities in Evros, Greece

There are so many people detained that they don’t have the space to even lie down in the cells, while the heating often does not work, leaving migrants freezing in sub-zero temperatures. In one of the detention centres, the toilet often does not work and excrements flood sections of the cell where migrants live and sleep. Press Release - 26 Jan 2011

Kenya

The Ifo II refugee camp, Kenya, lies empty while tens of thousands of Somali refugees live in unacceptable conditions less than 10 kilometers away

“The minimum international humanitarian standards are not being met,” said MSF Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Elena Estrada. “The refugees have scarce access to water, food, non-food items and shelter. There are no latrines, making open defecation the only option, and thus increasing the risk of the spread of disease, particularly in this vulnerable population group that is already fleeing years of war.” Press Release - 20 Jan 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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