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Russian Federation
International staff: 11 MSF continues to focus much of its energies in the Russian Federation on securing the release of staff member Arjan Erkel, kidnapped in the republic of Dagestan in August 2002, and assistance to people affected by ongoing conflict in the republic of Chechnya. In Siberia, MSF's tuberculosis (TB) program in the region of Kemerovo was halted after Russian medical authorities demanded that MSF use an incomplete and inappropriate treatment for multi-drug resistant TB that is in complete contradiction to treatment recommended by the World Health Organization; MSF had no choice but to end its assistance. More than 10,000 TB patients had been enrolled in the program since its inception in June 1996. MSF's work providing assistance to homeless people in Moscow also drew to a close, though MSF will continue advocacy to ensure social integration of this vulnerable group. This successful project was taken up by the Moscow City Government. In 11 years, MSF had provided more than 200,000 medical and 65,000 social consultations. MSF is currently launching a program to support street children in Moscow. |
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