MSF to restructure health support in Galgaduud due to deteriorating security

[Drkheyre]

MSF to restructure health support in Galgaduud due to deteriorating security

17.05.2012 | Assisting Somalis, Galgaduud, South Central Somalia

Nairobi, 16 May 2012. Due to worsening security conditions, MSF has made the difficult decision to close its primary health care programmes in Dhusa Mareb and Hindere that had been running since 2006 and 2008 respectively.  In addition, the support to Istarlin Hospital in Guri El will be restructured.

“Deteriorating security conditions in this area do not allow MSF to operate in its traditional manner with expatriate staff assisting on the ground.” said Brice de le Vingne, MSF’s Operational Director for Somalia.
“However we expect that our well trained staff can continue to offer free basic health services of high quality to the people of this area.”

In recent years, MSF has significantly invested in training of staff in Istarlin and in telemedicine – a form of
telecommunication which enables the provision of clinical health care at a distance. Through the new system of self-management, international experts remotely carry out real-time medical consultations and provide guidance to local
colleagues in Istarlin.

MSF has been working in Somalia continuously since 1991. MSF relies solely on private charitable donations for
its work in Somalia and does not accept any government funding.