Physicians and Health Care Workers’ Role in Conflict Zones Challenges and Successes

Physicians and Health Care Workers Role in Conflict Zones Challenges and SuccessesBabak AbbaszadehMarch 27, 2010, Ottawa

What is MSF?What is our mission?What are MSF roles in conflict zones? What are the challenges?How we handle challenges?

International humanitarian aid organisationProvides emergency medical relief to those who need it most First in and last outTreats most vulnerableWhat is MSF?

The MSF Charter1) IndependentIndependent from governments, as well as religious and economic interests 2) ImpartialProvides medical assistance solely on the basis of need, irrespective of political, religious and economic affiliation3) NeutralDoesnt take sides4) MSF Aid WorkersAware of the risks and dangers of the missions

A brief history 1971 Founded by French doctors 1980 MSF becomes international Operational centres throughout Europe Sections throughout the world 1991 MSF Canada set up 1999 Winner of Nobel Peace Prize

MSF Canada Field workers 20071800 MSF aid workers since 1992

What is our mission?Natural disasterArmed conflict and post conflictPopulation affected by epidemic or endemic diseasesSocial violence or exclusion

Rapid reaction from MSF workers in region. Emergency teams on stand-by in European centres. Rapid deployment of medical kits. Rapid assessments of unmet needs. Epidemic surveillance. Natural Disasters

War Important symbolic value Absolute neutrality Get job done safely, simply and fast

Nutrition intervention Surveillance and early warningNutritional responseEstablish therapeutic and blanket feedingProvision of non-food itemsWater sanitationVaccination Coordination with other organisations Lobbying for change

Displacement Both internal and external displacement. MSF assesses the health needs of displaced populations Medical response if assessment highlights need.

Disease managementPrevention (vaccines, bednets)Treatment (ARVs, Anti-malaria, anti-TB)Health educationCounselling

Challenges Remain impartial and neutral Reach the most vulnerable populationProvide access to essential medicineTmoignage or Speak out Sustainability of MSF action Post conflict interventions

Who is who? Military vans, Afghanistan, April 2004MSF Team, Afghanistan, April 2004Remain impartial and neutralMSFs only protection is through the communities in which we work. We are trying even harder to educate them about our complete independence from anyones army.

Reach the most vulnerable population

Myanmar

Myanmar

Tmoignage and speaking outActing and speaking out are not two inseparable elements of relief: Bandages are not enough.How does MSF gather this information? Gathering testimonies and stories from patients Collecting statistical medical data How does MSF speak out?Encouraging local authoritiesProducing press releases/conferencesPublishing materialsIn extreme conditions, may withdraw its presence

Access to Essential Medicines CampaignInternational campaign started in 1999.3 main objectives: Stimulating research and development for drugs and neglected diseases. Overcoming barriers to existing medicines (patents and prices). Lobbying to overcome trade barriers.

Drug development outcome 1975-1999: 1393 new chemical entities marketedTrouiller et al., Lancet Vol. 1359 Jun. 2002

Access to Essential Medicines CampaignTop 5 ACHIEVEMENTSPrice of AIDS drugs fallen dramatically, leading to international push to treat HIV in LDCs:- 1999 = $US 10,000 per patient/year- 2001 = $300 per patient/year2) Continued production of sleeping sickness drugs secured3) Put need for new TB diagnosis and treatment on international agenda4) Established the Drugs for Neglected Disease Initiative A new model for drug development5) Need for effective malaria diagnosis and treatment accepted nationally and internationallywww.dndi.org

Summary MSF charter is our guideline Reaching the most vulnerable people is our goal Educating the community and living within the population we help is our security Implementing simple projects adapted to situation of chronic conflict is key for sustainability

Thank you