Members of the Doctors-without- Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), an international, independent medical humanitarian organization, were in Nigeria today, March 7.
Members of the organization are known to provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare across the world.
Dr. Simba Tirima, who led other members of the organization on a courtesy visit to the First Lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari at the Presidential villa, Abuja today, March 7, said that the body is at the forefront of humanitarian service in Nigeria, with a presence in 10 states, employing 3,000 Nigerian professionals. According to him, parts of the programmes of the body are poisoning, maternal and child health, Noma disease, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Nutrition, and support for internally displaced persons.
He explained that thousands of Nigerians have been served through outpatient, inpatient and emergency consultations, while many have been treated for malaria, malnutrition, cholera, measles, Lassa fever, and Noma disease.
He said that the organization is in the process of strengthening its legal relationship with the Federal Government through a host country agreement so that they will be legally empowered to do more for the country.
He commended the First Lady for her multiple interventions and advocacy in the area of nutrition, saying a factory has been birthed for the local production of Ready-to-use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF), one of her campaigns relating to Severe Acute Malnutrition.
The First Lady, Mrs. Buhari commended the organization for the good job it has been doing to humanity, adding that many hard-to-reach areas rely on their intervention for medical service.
She also acknowledged that thousands of Nigerian professionals are enjoying services of the international team, believing that ultimately, it will result in the reduction of the rates of maternal and child mortality in the country.
Mrs. Buhari was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs, Dr. Rukayya Gurin.
