International Activity Report 2003
Nicaragua

International staff: 7 National staff: 44 MSF first intervened in Nicaragua in 1972

The parasitic infection known as Chagas disease is endemic in Nicaragua. Since mid-2002, MSF has been trying to reduce the incidence and morbidity of the illness in children under 15. Around 8,000 children benefit directly and at least 17,200 others at risk of acquiring the disease benefit indirectly from the MSF program in Esquipulas, Matagalpa department (read more about Chagas disease here).

MSF also runs an urban project in Ciudad Sandino, in northern Managua, where the focus is on improving the reproductive health of 41,082 men and women between 15 and 49 years of age. MSF lobbies the government to improve access to medical assistance as well as access to essential drugs. MSF also carries out active surveillance and monitoring to identify emergency threats in the region, often at risk from natural disasters.