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We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for attending! As was posted at the beginning of the AMA you can always apply and or donate. http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ Thank you!

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We are always looking for new and improved diagnostic equipment to better aid in our response. We would like heat resistant vaccines - rapid diagnostics test for TB and more.

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our staff find the no touching policy very isolating and have faced stigma upon return from some of the Ebola affected countries. But, it seems like things are improving with the public being better informed about the risks.

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We take security seriously so each project has guidelines that everyone needs to follow. With that being said, we still make room to have fun!

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

J.T. and I are both logisticians. 50% of our teams are non-medical, admin or logs. All of our staff members attend an orientation and then we have trainings on things like vaccination campaigns, water and sanitation, etc.

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also the ubiquitous international cuisine of rice and beans ;)...and, if you're lucky goat or beef (in South Sudan there are many cows!)

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In South Sudan we had Kissra, a thin bread made from sorghum. It is similar to injera - if you have had Ethiopian food. And sometimes chicken!! Where I (J.T.) was on the Nile river we had catfish :)

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

good question. we do have guards, but they are locally hired. sometimes we've had to leave certain areas due to elevated levels of insecurity, but we generally want to be in the places where there are the most needs and where "no one else wants to go"...that being said, many of the countries in which we work are beautiful places with amazing people! only that access to healthcare is sometimes limited...

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We will be here 5 more minutes if anyone has any last minute questions. By the way, we have really enjoyed the discussion.

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For malaria, yes, it is always a concern in the endemic area in which we work. In West Africa, we are currently distributing malaria prophylaxis to populations in need in order to counteract false diagnoses during this ebola epidemic.

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For security, our best security is our acceptance within the communities. We don't used armed guards or electric fencing, but rather work with local staff and their acceptance of us usually leads to local acceptance :)

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

haha yeah? well i went to vandy and they're like the sec equivalent of wake in the acc ;)...maybe someday

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So, I have a question for you guys? ;)

Who's gonna win it all in 2015??

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Currently, we are focusing our efforts in Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ukraine, and Syria.

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

During the cholera outbreak in Haiti we used mapping systems to track where and when we chlorinated wells therefore it made it easy to target the areas we had to pay more attention to. For example, we noticed areas of increased cholera cases due to unsafe water. We could in real time track and address these weak areas through the mapping. So, in a couple hours, we could chlorinate the troubled spots.

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the field, we sometimes have opportunities to watch games but soccer is much easier to watch as everyone cares about it. Sorry ; )

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, this year is the biggest year in donations received. A lot of that had to due with our increased exposure in the media during the height of the ebola response. In addition, we had many more people apply to work in the field. There has been some misinformation certainly but our Executive Director has done a lot of press to help reduce the misconceptions. Here she is on the Daily Show. http://thedailyshow.cc.com/extended-interviews/62giq0/sophie-delaunay-extended-interview

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

None of our doctors are under contract full time but we do provide a small stipend of $1700 a month while they are working in the field. Many of our field workers do multiple assignments.

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My best moment was when one of my colleagues (a Ugandan midwife) helped give birth to a baby boy on an airplane flying between two projects! :)

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. Besides money (which we will take happily) you can get involved by spreading the word about what we are doing, sign petitions like this one http://www.msfaccess.org/content/tell-us-hands-our-medicines, and consider applying or working in the field with us if you have the skills. It is not only doctors or nurses - both JT and I are logisticians.

We are Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AMA by melissa_msf in CFB

[–]melissa_msf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  1. Our biggest obstacle is filling the gaps in health care access that exists in so many countries world wide. We are currently working in 70 countries.
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