Top 9 media moments of 2018

Australian MSF worker tells personal story of Mediterranean rescue

ABC RN Drive

Hundreds of asylum seekers have been rescued from sinking boats on the Mediterranean. At least two women drowned and many others, including children are missing and presumed drowned. The Aquarius search and rescue vessel operated jointly by MSF and SOS Méditerranée was involved in the rescue effort. Lauren King, Australian field worker on board the Aquarius speaks to ABC’s Patricia Karvelas. 

MSF doctor returns from Yemen

ABC Saturday Extra

After three years of ongoing conflict in Yemen, basic health services and systems for the population are broken. Having returned from visiting projects in Khamir and Haydan, Dr Nikola Morton paediatrician and medical advisor with MSF, shares her account with ABC’s Geraldine Doogue.

Health needs exacerbated for women and girls on the move

Noted NZ

Displaced women have many of the same women’s health concerns as women anywhere. In an opinion piece, registered nurse, midwife and women's health medical advisor with MSF, Margaret Bell reflects on the fact that women’s health needs are exacerbated by being on the move, and access to medical care is reduced or non-existent all along the displacement journey. 

Career after surgery

RACS Post Op Podcast

MSF provided Ivan Thompson a long-held ambition to carry out humanitarian work overseas, including in volatile regions with large masses of displaced people, like Qayyarrah in northern Iraq where he completed his first assignment.

Worsening conditions in Greek migrant camp

ABC RN Breakfast

On the Greek island of Lesbos, one migrant camp is holding 9,000 people, nearly three times its capacity, leaving many with dire health consequences, including suicide attempts and self-harm by children. Authorities have now agreed to move 2,000 people to the mainland — but the regional government has threatened to shut down the facility unless conditions are improved.

A year since the horror in Myanmar, nothing’s changed

news.com.au

One year ago, the lives of hundreds of thousands of people changed instantly. They’re still suffering and we’re still turning a blind eye, as stated in an opinion piece by Paul McPhun, Executive Director of MSF Australia.

Here's What Happened When Doctors Without Borders Was Ordered Off Nauru

BuzzFeed Australia

After 11 months of providing mental healthcare on the island, the Government of Nauru informed MSF that our services were “no longer required”. BuzzFeed’s Lane Sainty provides an account of the events as explained by Paul McPhun, Dr Beth O’Connor and Dr Christine Rufener at a press conference in Sydney.

DRC Ebola outbreak set to become second largest ever

ABC RN Drive

There are serious concerns about a fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over 400 cases have been confirmed since the start of August, which means it's close to becoming the second biggest outbreak of the virus ever. Australian field worker, Dr Saschy Singh speaks to ABC’s Patricia Karvelas about MSF’s efforts to contain the virus.

Nauru in the grip of a mental health crisis, MSF report reveals

The Guardian

The Guardian’s Helen Davidson reveals the findings of MSF’s report Indefinite Despair – showing the mental health suffering on Nauru is among the most severe MSF has ever seen around the world, including in projects providing care for victims of torture.