Issue #1

The First One.

Oct 10, 2024

About this Newsletter…

First and foremost, thank you SO much for subscribing to our FoMSF newsletter - this is the first time we have done anything like this and all support goes a long way 🥳!! This newsletter is dedicated in sharing “spotlights” of humanitarian news, MSF current affairs and our upcoming events as a student-led society at UoN. We plan to publish issues biweekly (that’s ~~twice a week~~ once in two weeks!) with one main issue per month → MSF Monthly has a better ring to it so it’s currently called that :)

Our goal is to eventually expand to other universities across the UK and standardise this newsletter as a regular method of communication from us to you - our FoMSF members! So please spread the word and help this newsletter get out there - you DON’T have to be a FoMSF member or a medical student to sign up, and remember, it’s absolutely free (just enter your email on Substack). Links and socials can be found at the end of every issue, including this one!

Oh, and there are hyperlinks! Enjoy! <3

A Very Very Brief Summary of MSF

MSF is an international medical humanitarian organisation ❤️‍🩹, providing life-saving emergency relief and longer-term medical care to vulnerable and excluded communities in more than 70 countries across the world 🌍.

MSF Now

News Spotlight #1 - Lebanon Crisis

Following widescale Israeli airstrikes of multiple areas in Lebanon, MSF teams are working around the clock to respond to escalating humanitarian needs. MSF has deployed mobile medical teams across the country including in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, South (Saida), North (Tripoli), Bekaa and Akkar, offering psychological first aid, general medical consultations, medication and mental health consultations.

According to the WHO, between 17 and 28 September 2024, 38 health workers have been killed.

Fact: MSF have been working with Lebanon since 1976.

Read the full story 👉 here 👈

News Spotlight #2 - DRC Sexual Violence 2023

Did you know that in 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was averaging two sexual violence cases every hour? In 2023 alone, MSF helped treat 25,166 survivors of sexual violence across the country, but admissions continued to increase in the first months of 2024.

On average, that’s 336 cases a week. 😷

MSF published 3 urgent “call-to-action” statements which are;

Parties involved in the conflict must respect international humanitarian law → MSF fight for the absolute prohibition of acts of sexual violence❗️
Improvement of living conditions in sites for the internally displaced → increase access to the bare necessities e.g. food, water and income-generating activities 💰
Specific investment in better medical, social, legal and psychological care for victims of sexual violence 🚨🏥

Read the full story 👉 here 👈

News Spotlight #3 - A Case of Snake bites 🐍

Did you know? 100,000 people die every year from snakebite. Many others are disabled or disfigured, and cannot access effective antivenom treatment.

A bit of SCIENCE 🧪 behind a snakebite (3 main reactions):

Venom prevents the natural blood clotting process, resulting in excessive bleeding 🩸
A very dangerous neurological reaction 🧠 is triggered affecting the nervous system and key bodily functions including breathing
In Twic County, South Sudan, a third reaction is most common. The cytotoxic ⚠️ snake venom causes cell damage, leading to swelling which can affect adjacent vasculature including blood vessels and nerves. About 95% of envenomed patients in Twic County had signs suggesting this third reaction.

The antivenom costs MSF around £68 per dose. That’s just a bit more than your hoodie from Superdry. And there is a severe lack of antivenom medication in places that need it the most.

Read the full story 👉 here 👈

“MSF NOW is the section of our newsletter that discusses what MSF as an organisation is involved in currently, taking into consideration their doctors, volunteers and fundraisers. We summarise humanitarian current affairs in digestible, bite-sized MSF chunks for you to consume on the go!”

Story of the Month

Medical Needs in Sudan - A Reflection

Dr. Mohammad Bashir, (MSF) Deputy Medical Coordinator, reflects on the overwhelming challenges of working as a doctor in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, amidst a devastating conflict ❤️‍🩹. Since violence erupted last year, over 7 million people have been displaced, and the country’s fragile healthcare system has collapsed 🆘. (We met Dr Bashir online during our annual conference in London!)

The humanitarian crisis goes beyond conflict injuries, as people with chronic diseases face life-threatening complications without access to medications ⛑️. Maternity care is severely affected, with many hospitals unable to offer essential services. MSF teams, however, continue to support hospitals, providing critical maternity, pediatric, and nutritional care. They provided 40,000 consultations and 507 safe deliveries conducted in the Um Rakuba refugee camp alone last year 🚑. Vaccination and nutritional support are crucial to prevent further tragedies from diseases like measles and meningitis.