Program Contribution to Médecins Sans Frontières Suisse 2023-2024

The context in which MSF-CH is working has changed substantially over the past decade and the practice of medicine has evolved rapidly. MSF-CH is facing a range of contextual challenges: increased number of highly insecure contexts, increased intensity of conflicts and protracted crises, increased number and impact of environmental disasters often due to climate change, massive increase of population movements, ageing of population and urbanization, difficult access to good quality healthcare, as well as increased regulations for humanitarian interventions.

Acute malnutrition resulting from food insecurity is particularly increasing in almost all regions of Africa and it remains the largest contributor to child mortality.

In the medical domain, the emergence or reemergence of diseases such as Ebola, Dengue fever, Lassa fever, cholera, measles and COVID-19 can be observed.

The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health systems and on social economic factors have globally increased the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance. The war in Ukraine and the accompanying disturbances that it generates on the global economic situation as well as speculation on food prices further exacerbate the above-mentioned worrying trends, especially regarding malnutrition.

In line with SDG 3 of the Agenda 2030, MSF-CH has produced the following results:

• 1.6 million out- and in-patient consultations/admissions and 13’139 surgical procedures undertaken
• 314’065 malaria patients treated
• 82’694 consultations related to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
• 52’057 consultations of mental health patients
• 11’928 inpatient admissions of children into Therapeutic Feeding Centres & 37’404 malnourished children treated and assisted
• 28’696 babies’ deliveries assisted in a secure medical environment
• 1’890 treatments for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)
• Medical innovations and policy changes implemented to benefit patients: Patient Safety Incidents policy, patient-centred care, strengthening of mental health and psychosocial support, new oral treatment for hepatitis C, and MSF e-Care for paediatrics

Strengthening local civil society partners: For patients and communities to become partners in the provision of the medical services of MSF-CH and contribute to the localisation of aid, different approaches are being tested. Firstly, patients and communities are included into health programming from the beginning in a new women's health project in Kyrgyzstan. Secondly, MSF-CH is developing projects which introduce and promote self-care as part of the therapeutic pathway. Thirdly, MSF-CH is integrating community-led interventions into programming, e.g. in Niger.

Enhancing national ownership: National ownership has been gradually increasing within projects of MSF-CH with different approaches, adapted to each context. The close working relationship between MSF-CH and the respective Ministries of Health (MoH) has been strengthened via increased numbers of MoH staff receiving incentives form MSF-CH as well as increased access to learning opportunities provided by MSF-CH such as online courses, bedside training and coaching.

Address gender inequality and unequal power relationships incl. PSEAH: Prevention of abuse and the promotion of an environment free of inappropriate behaviour as well as equal opportunities for all, are constant challenges for an emergency aid organisation like MSF-CH. In 2021, two milestones were achieved with the inclusion of the MSF behavioural commitments into the standard Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the validation of the workplan for the implementation of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) on all levels of MSF-CH which was developed by the newly created position of DEI coordinator at MSF-CH.

1. People and communities affected by acute and protracted crises receive need-based humanitarian assistance
2. Access to quality primary healthcare for people and communities most in need is ensured
3. Access to quality secondary healthcare for people and communities most in need is ensured
4. Participation of patients and communities contributes to Health System Strengthening
5. Medical standards and humanitarian policies are improved through targeted policy dialogue

1. MSF strengthens civil society and country ownership in accordance with the provisions of the “OECD-DAC Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society” and the relevant GPEDC principles
2. MSF strengthens local health facilities’ capacity to address gender inequality and unequal power relationships, including PSEAH

PSEAH = Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment

Fase 6 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024   (Completed)