Analysis of an NGO: Doctors Without Borders Essay -- Medecins Sans Fro

Imagine an entire community of individuals, from doctors to massage therapists, that does not answer to any political entity or religion, yet still manages to collectively provide free healthcare services to millions of individuals in need every year. Medecins Sans Frontiers, or popularly known in the US as Doctors Without Borders, is an international NGO that does just that. The organization began in 1971 when a group of French doctors and journalists recognized the dire need for assistance in healthcare during times of war, famine, and flood in Nigeria and Pakistan. Since then, it has expanded and provides aid to over 60 countries in underserved regions across Central America, South America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia as well and developed a mission â€Å"to deliver emergency [medical] aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care.†(www.msf.org) Because Medecins Sans Frontiers recruits such a diverse group of volunteers, they are able to address a broad spectrum of health issues. Not only do doctors of all specialties volunteer with the group, but nurses, paramedics, EMTs, dentists, dental technicians, dental hygienists, optometrists, opticians, audiologists, podiatrists, massage therapists, mental health professionals, epidemiologists, and logistics experts all join Medecins Sans Frontiers in their mission as well. In total, there are over 27,000 individuals around the world assisting those in need through Medecins Sans Frontiers any given day of the year. Physicians and other health professionals often offer treatment for diseases that are prevalent in tropical areas like chagas and malaria. Treatment for illnesses that are widespread in developin... ...y. One of their greatest achievements was their 1999 Nobel Peace Prize in the field of humanitarian work â€Å"in recognition of the organization’s pioneering humanitarian work on several continents.† (nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1999) Since then, Medecins Sans Frontiers has continued to expand the services they provide. Last year, they conducted 7.5 million outpatient consultations, delivered 110,000 newborns, treated 1.1 million for malaria, treated 200,000 malnourished children, provided 165,000 infected with HIV/AIDS with antiretroviral therapy, vaccinated 7.9 million against meningitis, and conducted 50,000 surgeries. Sources Cited www.msf.org http://charityreports.bbb.org/national/health/doctors-without-borders-usa-in-new-york-ny-783 http://www.ksghauser.harvard.edu/ http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1999/