Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)

Médecins Sans Frontières or Doctors Without Borders, is a secular humanitarian aid non-governmental organization best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic disease.

Médecins Sans Frontières was created in 1971 by a small group of French doctors in the aftermath of the Biafra secession, who believed that all people have the right to medical care regardless of race, religion, creed or political affiliation, and that the needs of these people supersede respect for national borders. The initiators of Médecins Sans Frontières were:

1. Dr Marcel Delcourt
2. Dr Max Recamier
3. Dr Gérard Pigeon
4. Dr Bernard Kouchner
5. Dr Raymond Borel
6. Dr Jean Cabrol
7. Dr Vladan Radoman
8. Dr Jean-Michel Wild
9. Dr Pascal Greletty-Bosviel
10. Dr Jacques Bérés
11. Dr Gérard Illiouz
12. Philippe Bernier
13. Dr Xavier Emmanuell

The organization is known in most of the world by its French name or simply as MSF, but in the United States and Canada the name Doctors Without Borders is often used instead.

Core documents outlining MSF´s principles are the Charter and the Chantilly Principles, along with the later La Mancha Agreement, which in Rules, Section 2 addresses governance. MSF has an associative structure, where operational decisions are made, largely independently, by the 5 operational centres (Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Geneva and Paris). Common policies on core issues are coordinated by the International Council, in which each of the 19 sections (national offices) is represented. The International Council meets in Geneva, Switzerland, where the International Office, which coordinates international activities common to the operational centres, is also based.

In 2007 over 26,000, mostly local, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, logistical experts, water and sanitation engineers and administrators provided medical aid in over 60 countries. Private donors provide about 80% of the organization's funding, while governmental and corporate donations provide the rest, giving MSF an annual budget of approximately USD 400 million.

The organization actively provides health care and medical training to populations in more than 60 countries, and frequently insists on political responsibility in conflict zones such as Chechnya and Kosovo. Only once in its history, during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, has the organisation called for military intervention. To be able to speak and act freely, MSF remains independent of any political, religious or economic powers. The majority of all MSF activities are paid for with private donations.

MSF received the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its members' continuous effort to provide medical care in acute crises, as well as raising international awareness of potential humanitarian disasters. Dr. James Orbinski, who was the president of the organization at the time, accepted the prize on behalf of MSF. Prior to this, MSF also received the 1996 Seoul Peace Prize. The current president of MSF is Dr. Christopher Fournier.

Talking about doctors and medicines, I am one who takes the trouble to research the Internet about my medical conditions (and I've had several, believe me).  I don't take what I read as Gospel but the info gives me some ideas on what questions to ask my doctors.  I also own a Readers Digest medical encyclopaedia that I refer to because I believe that patients heal faster if they actively cooperate with their doctors and to cooperate, they must have some idea about what's going on with their bodies!  

When I had a TKR (Total Knee Replacement) surgery many years ago, I subscribed to an online support group called Newbie Kneebies (new knees lah!) because there was such a dearth of information on TKR recovery. This site was started by a young lady who had so much problems with TKR and believe me, there are some gory stories in USA/Canada too (there were patients who were seriously considering amputation to stop the pain of recovery!). I also bought a book from Amazon.com titled "WHAT YOUR DOCTOR DOES NOT TELL YOU ABOUT TKR". This was written by an orthopaedic surgeon who had TKR and who now is on the other side of the pond - after that, he was able to empathise with TKR patients - because he had gone through and understood the pain they went through!

One of my favourite CNN anchor is the controversial Dr. Sanjay Gupta (I call him Brad Pitt with Brains... hopefully, he's also a competent neurosurgeon)!!!! I also subscribe to the controversial Michael Moore (of "Sicko" fame) group website and I learn alot from there. By the way, back at work, I was the company Medical Plan Administrator and I worked very closely with hospitals and insurers so I have some idea about what goes on behind the scenes.

I know there are doctors who show impatience with patients who asked too many questions; but patients have the right to know as much as possible about their condition.  If I come across such a doctor, I would tell him/her that (1) I have a right to know since it is my body; (2) I am paying for the bill; and (3) if I am not comfortable with the doctor treating me, I will find another doctor whom I am comfortable with!