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NigeriaImproved treatment was provided to patients with trauma related injuries in the Niger delta. The handover of HIV/AIDS treatment in Lagos was possible, and MSF responded to a meningitis outbreak in Jigawa. In 2007, Nigeria was characterized by tensions surrounding the April presidential election and continuing strife in the Niger Delta, a volatile, densely populated area where various armed and political groups continue to struggle for power and control over natural resources. MSF’s trauma center was established in Teme hospital in Port Harcourt in 2005 to provide free emergency medical services and psychological care. The center saw peaks of admissions in 2007, owing to several sporadic outbreaks of violence. In August, 70 casualties were received in a two-week period, many having sustained high velocity gunshot wounds. During the year, 6,300 patients were admitted to the emergency room and 2,000 surgeries and 800 psychological consultations were carried out. MSF also provides medical and psychological care to victims of sexual violence at the center and is working to raise awareness of this service. The Teme center underwent technical improvements in 2007 to advance the quality of care, including the introduction of internal fixation (an operation that mechanically unites the ends of a fractured bone). This had a dramatic effect on the quality of the management of orthopedic injuries and the average length of stay, which dropped from 23 to nine days and nearly tripled inpatient capacity. Physiotherapy for orthopedic cases was also improved to reduce any loss of mobility. Improved HIV/AIDS care in LagosWhen MSF started providing free anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and comprehensive care for HIV/AIDS patients in 2003, there were no other agencies providing free ART in Nigeria. In 2006, a President’s decree announced a national program to offer free ART to all HIV/AIDS patients in the country. As a result 20 centers started offering counseling and treatment of HIV/AIDS in Lagos state in 2007. This national progress allowed MSF to begin the handover of its HIV/AIDS project, which provided ART to over 1,900 patients, to local partners and authorities. Meningitis outbreak in JigawaMSF provided case management between March and May in response to a meningitis outbreak in Jigawa state, the most affected areas being Gwaram and Dutse. MSF provided support to health facilities, trained staff and donated drugs and diagnostic tests. A total of 583 people were treated. MSF has worked in Nigeria since 1996. |
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