Current Global Health Issues

— Epicentre Scientific Day, Paris

   (Wednesday, 30 May 2012 10:00)

Médecins Sans Frontières’ epidemiological arm, Epicentre, co-host of our 2011 International Symposium on Reducing Child Mortality (held in Melbourne), will hold its 22nd Scientific Day in Paris. The day features presentations by internal and external experts on improving diagnosis and detection, the results of recent studies and surveys, and new research themes, all focused on better outcomes for Médecins Sans Frontières’ field operations and its patients.

Médecins Sans Frontières’ epidemiological arm, Epicentre, co-host of our 2011 International Symposium on Reducing Child Mortality (held in Melbourne), will hold its 22nd Scientific Day in Paris. The day features presentations by...

— Livestream of Scientific Day in London

   (Friday, 25 May 2012 04:30)

Join our sister office in the UK for their annual Scientific Day to hear experts present original research from humanitarian projects in the field, with sessions dedicated to topics including HIV and TB; digital humanitarianism; and finding and treating hidden and neglected populations. The livestream starts 09:30 London time (08:30 GMT/18:30 Australian Eastern Standard Time).

Join our sister office in the UK for their annual Scientific Day to hear experts present original research from humanitarian projects in the field, with sessions dedicated to topics including HIV and TB; digital humanitarianism; and finding and treating hidden and neglected populations. The

— Médecins Sans Frontières treat victims of fighting in southern Yemen

   (Monday, 21 May 2012 22:38)

Sana’a, Friday 18th of May - The increase of violence and fighting since last Saturday in southern Yemen has led to a high number of victims and wounded among civilians. Médecins Sans Frontières teams already received and treated 8 severely injured patients at Aden hospital, transferred from Jaar Health Post, and 43 were received at Lawdar Hospital, both supported by Médecins Sans Frontières.

Since Saturday, Médecins Sans Frontières have seen an increase on patients admitted in health facilities in Jaar, Lawdar and Aden, following a new wave of violence and fighting around Zinjibar, capital of Abyan governorate, and Lawdar, a...

— Providing surgical care in northern Afghanistan

   (Monday, 21 May 2012 21:58)

Ali*, 14, was playing in the fields with his friends outside Kunduz city in northern Afghanistan.

“We found something that looked like a battery. We picked it up and connected two wires sticking out, and it exploded in our faces.”

Ali’s family drove him to Médecins Sans Frontières’ newly opened surgical hospital in Kunduz city. He had shrapnel in his face and injuries to his hands and arms.

“It was probably a detonator that someone had left behind” said Dr. Martin John Jarmin, a Médecins Sans Frontières surgeon. “His brother ended...

— Kaiser Family Foundation Releases New Poll Examining Americans' Views Of U.S. Support Of Global Health

   (Monday, 21 May 2012 15:28)

— 7 Ways For Programs Combating Hunger To Better Reach Women

   (Monday, 21 May 2012 11:14)

"Through the U.S. Government's Feed the Future initiative, women are being recognized as playing a major role in tackling global hunger," guest blogger Seema Jalan, director of global development policy at Women Thrive Worldwide, writes in this post in USAID's "IMPACTblog." She lists "seven things we at Women Thrive believe any program -- whether from government, an NGO or private company -- have to do to succeed by reaching women," including ensuring property rights for women and providing women farmers with the tools and training they need (5/18).

— Tackling 'Hidden Crisis' Of Childhood Undernutrition Critical

   (Monday, 21 May 2012 11:08)

"[N]early more than 170 million children under age five suffer from undernutrition, a hidden crisis that robs them -- and their countries -- of a healthy and prosperous future," Cat Cora, chef and founder of Chefs for Humanity, writes in an opinion piece on the Feed the Future website. "It's critical to tackle this problem, placing a particular emphasis on the first 1,000 days from pregnancy to a child's second birthday, as this is the time to ensure healthy growth and development," she continues, adding, "I'm thrilled that fighting hunger and poverty remain high on the G8 agenda" (5/18).

— IPS Reports On Upcoming 5th International Parliamentarians' Conference On Population, Development

   (Monday, 21 May 2012 11:01)

Inter Press Service reports on the Fifth International Parliamentarians' Conference on the Implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) program of action, taking place May 24-25 in Istanbul, Turkey. According to the news service, about 300 parliamentarians from six continents will meet to "discuss 'the progress the world's governments are making in their efforts to protect and empower women in their reproductive health and rights: a promise they made at the International Conference on Population and Development in 1994 in Cairo,' says the European Parliamentary Forum (EPF), which is co-organizing the event."

— Government-Supported 'Prize Funds' Would Help Important Drugs Have Greater Social Impact

   (Monday, 21 May 2012 10:57)

"Every year, millions of people die from preventable and treatable diseases, especially in poor countries," World Bank Chief Economist Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel laureate, writes in this BusinessDay opinion piece. "In many cases, life-saving medicines can be cheaply mass-produced, but are sold at prices that block access to those who need them," and "many die simply because there are no cures or vaccines, because so little of the world's valuable research talent and limited resources is devoted to addressing the diseases of the poor," he continues, arguing, "This state of affairs represents a failure of economics and law that urgently...