The ‘Saints’ Médecins Sans Frontières
The International, independent medical humanitarian organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Doctors without Borders; a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organization, founded to contribute to the protection of life and the alleviation of suffering out of respect for human dignity, by providing medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare.
MSF brings care to people in precarious situations and works towards helping them regain control over their future, by medical actions and curative care to people in danger, wherever they may be.
In cases where this is not enough to ensure the survival of a population – as in some extreme emergencies – other means may be developed, including the provision of water, sanitation, food, shelter, etc. This action is mainly carried out in crisis periods when a system is suddenly destabilized and the very survival of the population is threatened.
The Organizations has recruited tens of thousands of health professionals, logistics and administrative staff – bound together by their charter. The Organization’s Actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality.
Since the date of establishment in 1971 in Paris – by a group of journalists and doctors (300 volunteers, doctors, nurses, and other staff, including the 13 founding doctors and journalists), and until today, Doctors without Borders is a worldwide movement of more than 42,000 people. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/who-we-are/history
The adamant principles were same at that time too, on same belief as of today, that all people have the right to medical care regardless of gender, race, religion, creed, or political affiliation, and that the needs of these people outweigh respect for national boundaries.
Medical projects are offered at over 70 countries around the world https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/countries
The principles expressed in the summary above are well illustrated within two core documents, to define the cause in detail, complementary to the charter, the Chantilly Principles, and the ‘La Mancha Agreement’.
In addition to quality medical care, the témoignage – or bearing witness, as they call it, the Witnessing and care, an integral complement with the intention of improving the situation for populations in danger is expressed through:
- the presence of volunteers with people in danger as they provide medical care which implies being near and listening.
- a duty to raise public awareness about these people
- the possibility to openly criticize or denounce breaches of international conventions. This is the last resort used when MSF volunteers witness mass violations of human rights, including forced displacement of populations, or forced return of refugees, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
In exceptional cases, it may be in the best interests of the victims for MSF volunteers to provide assistance without speaking out publicly or to denounce without providing assistance, for example when humanitarian aid is “manipulated”.
The Organization assists each person in danger with humanity, impartiality and in respect of medical confidentiality and ascribes to the principles of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law
The independence of MSF is characterized above all by the independence of spirit which is a condition for independent analysis and action, namely the freedom of choice in its operations, and the duration and means in carrying them out. This independence is displayed at both the level of the organization and of each volunteer, striving for strict independence from all structures or powers, whether political, religious, economic or other and by refusing to serve or be used as an instrument of foreign policy by any government.
The organization is reputable for its accountability and transparency based on volunteerism, by endeavoring constantly new volunteers, and by maintaining a spirit of resistance against compromise, routine, and institutionalization.
The organization offers help to all kind of diseases like cholera, Ebola, HIV/AIDS, Malaria, yellow fever and more, and access to medicines, antibiotic resistance, vaccinations and more. MSF has rightly garnered praise for the efforts to fight Ebola and has been through challenging conditions and tough decisions, whilst in collaboration with various pharmaceutical companies and research groups. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/medical-issues
Around 90 percent of our funding comes from individuals like you. So you may support online the organization through this link presenting all options on the donation: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/support-us
A monthly donation of €4 can provide 234 measles vaccines every year.
With 10€/month for a year, MSF provides therapy for malaria to 120 children
With 20€/month for a year, MSF provides clean water to 6000 people
With 30€/month for a year, MSF provides 24 surgery kits for emergency injuries
Doctors Without Borders expose themselves in danger constantly. Their bravery, courage, and hope they give make them modern saints, the holy mankind amongst us
Recently, on the 4th of April 2019, another killing of a doctor took place. The Organization condemns the killing on April 4 of Gaulbert Mokafe, an assistant nurse in Batangafo, Central African Republic (CAR), by an armed group.
MSF once again calls on all armed groups involved in the conflict in CAR to comply with international law on conflicts and to respect the safety and security of medical activities, medical professionals and health care facilities.
Gaulbert Mokafe, 41, had worked at the Batangafo hospital, where MSF operates in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, since 2012. He had a wife and five children. Mokafe was murdered on the road between Batangafo and the neighboring city of Bouca while traveling by motorcycle to visit his family. MSF has found out that he was forced to stop by a group of armed men and was held by them in a nearby forest. Mokafe was shot and killed, for unknown reasons.
“If those responsible for the death of Gaulbert or their relatives had needed medical attention, Gaulbert would have taken care of them. His killing is a cowardly crime, which has left the MSF family in Batangafo and in CAR shocked and outraged. It is unacceptable,” said Omar Abenza, MSF head of mission in CAR. “We demand that armed groups control their members and ensure the protection of the population while respecting the health personnel, from whom they and their families also benefit. We want to continue offering medical and humanitarian assistance, but for this, we need to work in safety and everybody has to fulfill their responsibilities.” Article In his memory
MSF has worked in the Central African Republic since 1997. MSF currently has more than 200 international staff and more than 2,000 Central African staff in the country. MSF provides medical care in Batangafo, Carnot, Kabo, Paoua, Bria, Bossangoa, Bangassou, Bangui, Bambari, and Boguila, and responds to emergencies in other areas.
Nurses are needed: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/job-profile/nurses
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