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

hopital de Jahun
Programme de prévention et de réparation des fistules (obstetrical fistula ) vésico-vaginales, scènes et portraits de patientes

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

Libya

'Our key priority is to gain immediate access to the wounded in areas affected by violence within Libya'

“First and foremost, our presence here, both in terms of our medical staff and our supplies, means that we are ready to intervene as soon as we gain access into Libya. We are seeking immediate access in order to treat the wounded, who are reportedly not allowed out, while doctors and critical medical supplies are not allowed in.” Voices from the Field - 7 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

Women's health

Sentenced to injury and shame

Video: Sentenced to injury and shame Project Update - 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

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

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

Sudan

Tens of thousands displaced following days of fighting in the Abyei, Sudan, area

MSF is currently responding to the consequences of fighting in various locations north of the disputed border district of Abyei, in Sudan. The latest outbreak of violence began on Sunday, February 27, some 20 kilometres north of Abyei town. MSF is particularly concerned for the wounded seeking medical care in the north of the Abyei area, some of whom have been evacuated to Muglad hospital. The medical humanitarian organisation is currently in discussion with authorities to provide assistance to the people most in need in this area. Project Update - 4 Mar 2011

Four mothers posing in a corridor of the Hospital in Bili. All four of them are staying in the hospital with their child, that's suffering from a severe case of malaria. Since the beginning of the project in 2016, the pediatric ward already treated more than 4.000 cases of complicated/severe form of malaria.

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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Fistula reconstructive surgery returns lives, dignity and well-being