On the front line:Médecins Sans Frontières
BMJ 2006; 333 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/sbmj.0611412 (Published 01 November 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;333:0611412
- James M N Duffy, medical student1
- 1University of Manchester Medical School
It was founded by a small group of French doctors after the Nigerian civil war in 1971. And its objective is to provide humanitarian emergency health care, irrespective of political, geographical, religious, and any other boundaries. Famed for its quick response in an emergency situation, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, Doctors Without Borders, in case you didn't know) operates in more than 70 countries today.
Its original objective has evolved into providing some long term interventions, notably the HIV/AIDS treatment projects and advocacy for suffering populations. MSF recruits more than 3000 doctors, nurses, midwives and logisticians to deliver its objectives. It receives 80% of its funds through private donations and the rest through institutional donations and government funding. This substantial level of private donation and the commitment of its volunteers allows MSF to observe its strict belief in operational independence.
And, yes, in case you're wondering, MSF was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1999.
Nicky lewis/MSF
Evolution of a maverick
MSF's objectives are motivated by humanitarian principles, the most important of which are impartiality, independence, and operational neutrality. MSF furiously guards its independence and refuses to be used as an instrument of foreign policy or by any government. This approach has been criticised in the past, with the organisation often being labelled arrogant and elitist.
MSF's traditional role has been to provide emergency medical help to people in immediate crisis because of sudden destabilisation, whether natural or because of humans. This emergency help takes the form of curative and preventive care to people in danger, wherever and whoever they are. …
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