Health without borders – 09/24/2023 – Marcia Castro

The non-governmental organization (NGO) and non-profit Doctors Without Borders (MSF), created in 1971, offers medical and humanitarian aid to people affected by armed conflicts, socio-environmental catastrophes, malnutrition, epidemics and exclusion from access to healthcare. In 1999, MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 2022, MSF had more than 63 thousand professionals from different areas and nationalities working in 70 countries. The work is not voluntary. All professionals have a contract and are paid.

The actions are countless. For example, in 2022 there were more than 16 million consultations, 295 thousand births, 118 thousand surgeries, 127 thousand malnourished children treated, 425 thousand mental health consultations, 4.2 million cases of malaria treated and more than 4.1 million of measles vaccines administered. Most projects, expenses and professionals are concentrated on the African continent.

It’s in Brazil?

MSF’s first action in Brazil was in 1991, in response to a cholera epidemic in the states of Pará and Amazonas that affected riverside and indigenous communities. At that time there was still no Family Health Strategy. Therefore, primary care and access to healthcare were limited in these areas. The same challenge was repeated two years later in actions to combat malaria in Yanomami and Macuxi areas, in Roraima.

Given this scenario, in addition to medical care, MSF focused on training professionals from riverside and indigenous communities. Management of cholera cases, notions of first aid and training of microscopists to diagnose malaria were some of the local training. Hundreds of people were trained and many still work as community agents and microscopists in their communities.

Several actions were carried out with residents of violent and homeless areas in Rio de Janeiro, including expanding the assistance network, health education to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and medical and mental health care. Humanitarian crises involving immigrants from Haiti and Venezuela also received support from MSF in health promotion.

MSF acted in several environmental disasters (floods in the Northeast, landslides in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro and the collapse of dams in Mariana and Brumadinho). In addition to providing medical care and psychological support to affected families, MSF trained local teams, distributed hygiene materials and helped improve sanitation conditions.

MSF’s biggest role in Brazil, however, was during the Covid-19 pandemic. A necessary response not only because it is a health emergency, but due to the government’s catastrophic response that made the situation of the most vulnerable even worse.

Hundreds of professionals provided medical care and assistance to populations in vulnerable situations, support in improving Covid-19 management protocols, training for front-line professionals, strengthening the health structure, expanding testing capacity, psychological support for health professionals and health education. Furthermore, in an effort to combat misinformation, MSF supported the dissemination of messages (not only in Portuguese, but also in indigenous languages).

MSF promotes health without borders, without discrimination, with respect for culture and with dignity. When training local professionals, it seeks continuity and multiplication of the actions promoted.

Several organizations and collectives were crucial during the pandemic. It is necessary to document, value and publicize this work.

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