BOGOTA/NEW YORK, October 21, 2024 — Earlier this month, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) resumed activities at the Lajas Blancas migrant reception station in the province of Darién, in southern Panama. Seven months after MSF was forced to suspend activities in Panama. Authorities have approved MSF teams to undertake a three-month medical response by MSF, allowing the medical humanitarian organization to provide medical and mental health care to migrants crossing the Darién jungle, and support the local community, which have been greatly affected by the crisis.
“During the first two weeks of our activities, we saw that the health needs of those leaving the Darién jungle continue to be immense,” said Carlos Estrella, MSF project coordinator in Darién. “In 10 days, we carried out about 280 medical consultations in Lajas Blancas, including 72 patients with symptoms of mental distress.”
MSF teams have also treated patients for diabetes, hypertension, and epilepsy, and provided contraceptives and consultations to pregnant women. The team has also seen and treated victims of sexual violence.
