Activity Update, October 2015

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) employs more than 2,937 South Sudanese staff and 329 international staff to respond to a wide range of medical emergencies and provide free and high quality healthcare to people in need 18 projects in seven out of 10 states in the country and the Abyei Special Administrative Area. Project Update - 18 Nov 2015

Yemen

Crisis update – 10 November 2015

The human cost of the conflict keeps on increasing since the beginning of the conflict. Since March 19, MSF active in 8 governorates treated 15,587 war wounded. Bombing and shelling disproportionately target civilians. Crisis Update - 10 Nov 2015

Yemen

Antiretroviral treatment beneath the bombs

More than 1,300 people living with HIV/AIDS are receiving antiretroviral treatment in Yemen, around half of them in Sana’a, the capital. Dr Abdulfattah Al-Alimi, Field coordinator and medical team leader of MSF's HIV/AIDS project in Yemen, discuss how the current war is affecting the patients' treatment. "In the end, this is our job and responsibility: to find a way so no one has to interrupt their treatment because of the war," says Dr Abdulfattah Al-Alimi. " These are difficult times for my country, but we are trying to prevent them from being even more so for people living with the virus." Voices from the Field - 29 Oct 2015

South Africa

South Africa should override patent on key HIV medicine after widespread stock out problem

Stock outs of critical HIV drug LPV/r are causing thousands of South Africans to go without HIV treatment, potentially leading to drug resistance developing or people becoming sick. The stock out is due to pharma company AbbVie - which holds patents on the drug, preventing generics being produced or imported - not providing enough of a supply. The South African government needs to issue a compulsory licence, which allows generic versions to be produced, used or imported in the country, in order to ensure access to lifesaving treatment for people. “People are being turned away from clinics without medicine and are being asked to purchase it on the private market. Many simply cannot afford it and this causes distress,” said Dr. Amir Shroufi, MSF’s Deputy Medical Coordinator in South Africa. “Alarmingly, people without access to treatment over time can become resistant to lopinavir/ritonavir and require more expensive medicines – they also risk falling sick and could even die.” Press Release - 27 Oct 2015

India

At African Union – India meeting, leaders should work together to protect access to affordable medicines

“African leaders really should see this summit as an opportunity to work together with Prime Minister Modi to protect affordable access for people across the developing world”, said Dr Van Cutsem. “They need to remember that millions of people in Africa are alive today because of affordable medicines made in India.” Press Release - 26 Oct 2015

HIV/AIDS

MSF applauds World Health Organization move toward treatment for everyone with HIV

“It’s no longer only a question of when to start people on treatment, but also how to help people stay on treatment for life and to maintain ‘undetectable’ levels of virus in their blood," says said Dr Marc Biot, MSF’s operational coordinator for HIV. " We need to make sure HIV treatment fits into people’s lives better, just like with any other chronic disease in industrialized countries.” Press Release - 30 Sep 2015

Access to medicines

MSF urges India to protect affordable medicines for millions

MSF displays billboards of ‘Incredible India’ ads with Taj Mahal made of pills outside Modi’s hotel, Indian consulate. Press Release - 28 Sep 2015

Kenya

Moving from MDGs to SDGs: Transforming aspirations for better health into reality works.

"In order to stand a better chance to achieve the SDG targets by 2030, domestic resources for health financing need to substantially increase while policies need to be formulated based on realistic assessments of obstacles that people face in getting access to health care." Opinion - 25 Sep 2015

Haiti

“Every single case we saw was complicated, and touching and difficult and emotional”

MSF set up a new sexual violence project in Port-au-Prince this year.The clinic provides comprehensive medical and psychological care for survivors of sexual violence, with a doctor and psychologist available 24-hours a day. We see a lot of patients at weekends and at night, when other clinics are closed. "Every single case we saw was complicated, and touching and difficult and emotional, " says Dr Lisa Searle. Voices from the Field - 2 Sep 2015

Flood victims vulnerable to dengue fever

“This is peak dengue season and we need to remain vigilant after the floods to prevent further spread,” says Liesbeth Aelbrecht, MSF Myanmar Country Director. “We will focus on helping treat the disease as well as training Ministry of Health staff and volunteers on how to fumigate potential breeding sites and to spread messages to communities about dengue prevention.” Project Update - 17 Aug 2015

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Independent medical humanitarian assistance

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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