Writing Results Payam Kabiri, MD. PhD. Epidemiologist Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.
A CAREER WITH MSFName: NATHAN FORD Profile: Clinical/Public health epidemiologist MSF Missions:3 MSF...
Transcript of A CAREER WITH MSFName: NATHAN FORD Profile: Clinical/Public health epidemiologist MSF Missions:3 MSF...
Today’s world poses many challengesto MSF's delivery of high qualityhumanitarian assistance. From
insecurity and the politicisation of aid
to the increasingly sophisticated
programmes being run in the field,
there is a consistent, persistent need
to place the right people in the right
place in a timely fashion. We are a
people-centred venture, and have
grown enormously in the range of
expertise required within the
organisation. Compared to its early
days, MSF is a much more professional
outfit, for example calling on
expatriates to manage complicated HIV
or TB protocols in a dynamic context,
or for logistical support officers to
maintain supply chains across five
missions and three continents.
We actively seek to recruit new
personnel into MSF, as much for their
enthusiasm and energy as the skills
they bring from the outside world. At
the same time, we must also retain a
cadre of experienced staff who are able
to build on their years of MSF, to lead,
manage, support and advise our
operations in the field. Yet we are not
looking for humanitarian careerists who
would make MSF a part of their
vocation. Rather, we are looking for
dedicated MSFers, people who share
our values and drive, and who can
commit to making their career part of
MSF.
I can understand why some people are
reluctant to see MSF as a long-term
job option, and yet the contributions
to this booklet highlight the simple fact
that the organisation is staffed with all
types, including people later in their
career path, who have families and
homes and a sense of security. And
there is something you can't see,
something that comes out in many of
the contributions and that I can
comment on personally. It’s the way in
which a career with MSF is neither a
noble sacrifice nor an occupational
dead end. On the contrary, MSF offers
a rare opportunity to work in a
constantly stimulating environment,
one that is enriching and above all
else requires you to learn and improve.
That quality – job satisfaction – comes
from being able to transform your skills
and energy into action that benefits
people in an acute state of need and
from being able to watch your skills
grow at the same time.
Don’t take my word forit. Read how thesevarious colleagues haveexperienced their yearsin MSF. They attest tothe flexibility andopportunities of workingwith us.
Marc Dubois, ExecutiveDirector MSF UK
Name: ERIC STOBBAERTS
Profile: Finance/Management
MSF Missions: 10
MSF Roles: Logistician/Administrator, Head ofMission, General Director, Research Officer
Countries: Lebanon, Afghanistan, FormerYugoslavia, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Kurdistan,Palestine, Libya, Spain, Jordan, South Africa,Brazil, Iraq
Before I went to University I wanted tobe a journalist or a diplomat and aftermy degree, worked as a junior managerin the international financial departmentof a big US corporation. I was inmanagement training and enjoyedworking there – the culture wasinformal, allowed creativity and therewas a sense of belonging. Buteventually talking to an old friendreminded me of the dreams andaspiration we used to chat about atuniversity.
It didn’t take long for me to send my CV
off to MSF and soon after I was offered
a logistics/admin role in Lebanon, and
arrived having no idea what I was
supposed to do in a war zone.
Everything was a new discovery on that
mission and it transformed me. The
team was great, there was no hierarchy,
we had no radios, no phones and no
land cruisers back then, and we just got
on with it. I rapidly developed skills in
negotiating checkpoints, organising non-
medical supply distributions. When the
mission ended I realised I was infected
by MSF and returned home excited
about my next mission. My commitment
to MSF has not stopped since.
I next worked as a logistics
administrator in Peshawar and
Afghanistan for a cross-border mission.
Looking back it was a different world;
we used to write situation reports on
clothes that people would wear back to
Peshawar, as nothing written on paper
survived the journey. I spent two years
there, eventually becoming the head of
mission, and then moving on to be
deputy head of mission in Iraq during
the first Gulf War.
I felt I needed a break from field life
and my next career move was back to
Geneva for a year of study. I was the
first non-medical expat to get a
scholarship from MSF-Belgium and
studied for an MBA.
After being Head of Mission in Former
Yugoslavia, MSF-Belgium offered me the
opportunity to open a regional office in
Cairo. Over the next two years I set up
the office from scratch and when I left
we had operations in Cairo, Algeria and
Morocco as well as having responded to
emergencies in Kurdistan, Palestine and
Libya.
The only reason I left was to take up a
new MSF position as General Director of
MSF Spain, where I spent six years. I
left Barcelona to move to London and I
joined the Programmes Unit as a
researcher.
I am just back from a year in Brazil
where I covered someone's maternity
leave as the director of a new MSF
office. It’s been great and I toyed with
the idea of going back to the field and
being a head of mission somewhere but
was offered a job for a year with DNDi
(the MSF-supported ‘Drugs for Neglected
Diseases initiative’) based in Brazil and
doing advocacy work around Chagas
disease.
My favourite role at MSF to date was
being a head of mission. It is an
amazing position because there is a
great opportunity for being innovative
and creative. You are close to reality yet
you can still be strategic. I’ve enjoyed
working on specific dossiers too
because it’s interesting to get a deep
understanding of a topic and then see
that it does have an impact on MSF’s
work on the ground. So what for the
future? ...maybe another HoM role,
somewhere where I stay for two years,
but still a conflict zone.
"Working with MSF for 20years was not only abouthuman commitment – MSFhas allowed space for mypersonal development andprofessional creativity inways that are quiteoutside of the travelledpath."
© S
imon B
urroughs/
MSF
– S
udan 2
005
Name: NATHAN FORD
Profile: Clinical/Public health epidemiologist
MSF Missions: 3
MSF roles: Medical advocacy advisor, Head ofMedical Unit, Medical Coordinator
Countries: South Africa, Thailand, UK
I have worked with MSF for 12 years.The reason I remain devoted to theorganisation is its commitment todelivering essential medical assistancewhile striving to have a larger impactthrough policy advocacy and operationalresearch. If MSF was simply a short-term service provider, as some suggestit should be, I probably would neverhave stayed so long.
MSF for me is much more than an
employer. At its best, MSF is a collection
of truly remarkable individuals who are
encouraged to deliver effective, essential
health care and adapt and innovate to
do it better. My experience has been
that MSF encourages reflection,
criticism, and the development of new
ideas. These are freedoms that allow
individuals with ideas and passion to
flourish. In my career with MSF I have
been in numerous positions, in Europe
and in the field, including setting up
two medical support units in London
and South Africa. Every opportunity I
have had has originated from this core
willingness of MSF to improve its impact
by changing and adapting to needs.
That said, I think it is essential that
MSF takes up its responsibility as an
employer and ensures that people
reflect on their career options and future
security, and continue to grow as
individuals. I have done a postgraduate
diploma, a Masters, and a PHD while
working with MSF, and am extremely
grateful to MSF UK for the
encouragement they have provided all
along the way.
One of the most rewarding experiences
in my life has been to be part of the
fight to increase access to treatment for
HIV/AIDS. When I first joined MSF I went
to an AIDS conference in Geneva and
met David Wilson, a British doctor
working in Thailand. He spent the whole
week arguing with pharmaceutical
companies about the price of their AIDS
medicines. This was at a time when
there was almost no international
attention paid to these issues, and he
was ignored by both the companies and
the media. We wrote press releases, we
disrupted their meetings, and people
thought we were mad. The following
year, access to AIDS medicines became
one of the most important issues in
international health, and MSF has been
at the centre of a global project that
within seven years had provided life-
saving antiretroviral therapy to over five
million people in developing countries. I
feel very privileged to have been able
to have played a small role in that fight.
“MSF for me ismuch more thanan employer.”
I have recently moved back to London
to take up the position of medical co-
ordinator for the Access to Medicines
Campaign.
© R
on H
aviv
/VII –
DRC 2
005
Name: RACHAEL CRAVEN
Profile: Consultant in anesthesia at the Bristol Royal Infirmary
MSF Missions: 8
MSF Roles: Anaesthetist
Countries: Indonesia, Nigeria, Haiti, DRC, Jordan,
Iran
Working with MSF has allowed me tovisit some fascinating places that Iwould otherwise have no way of seeing,working alongside local staff gives youa much greater insight in what it is liketo live and work in these places.
Professionally, I always learn a lot from
doctors and nurses from other countries
– both expats and national staff. With
MSF you have to continually be creative
and adapt your normal practice to
provide high-quality care in difficult
surroundings. I always return to the UK
with a fresh perspective on life in the
NHS, because within the NHS you can
often feel powerless – a small cog
within a massive machine. MSF reminds
you that what you do as an individual
within a team can make a big
difference.
What attracted me to MSF was the
different mindset, the ethos of being
‘out in the field’, the MSF principles, the
‘temoignage’ (bearing witness).
I go to the field for four or five weeks a
year during my annual leave although
sometimes the hospital will give me
extra leave (for example I had 10 days
leave to go to Haiti). It is an on-going
negotiation between me and my
hospital, but it mainly comes out of the
seven-week holiday I get in the NHS. In
terms of choices, I just go where I am
needed, although MSF is often flexible.
“I always return to theUK with a freshperspective on life inthe NHS.”
The highlight of my work with MSF is
experiencing that sense of satisfaction
under extreme and difficult
circumstances – and achieving the best
result for the patient. I love the
challenge of adapting your everyday
practice to the circumstances. And
working with national staff is rewarding
– they have an amazing ability to
achieve so much with limited resources,
and to keep doing it.
© R
on H
aviv
/VII –
DRC 2
005
My ideological concern and my drive touse my skills to the best effect pushedme towards MSF. I was a pediatricnurse, witnessing the ‘high end’ care ofthe West and developed countries: savea life at all cost, while in Africa childrenare dying of diarrhoea.
I did my first mission in Somalia, a
nasty war zone, and then another in
Sudan. Initially I felt that working for
MSF was a means to an end rather than
‘being part of it’. So why did I stay? I
felt a collective loyalty, a like-
mindedness. The shared concerns that I
had became more important than
anything else.
When I went back to study Social
Anthropology at SOAS, I stayed in touch
with MSF, gave talks, but was not
planning to go back. I got married (yes,
to another MSFer) and returned to the
NHS. Then MSF persuaded me to go on
another mission, and I went to
Afghanistan (with my husband). I had
wanted to use my studies so my next
role was perfect: a medical researcher
based in Mexico but travelling out a lot,
mainly into Zambia and Tajikistan.
I have used my field experience
combined with my studies to work with
the MSF teams and with the
populations. Since I loved this sort of
job, it felt natural for me to accept the
Health Advisor role in Amsterdam
focusing on ‘community health’. I was
offered the India Medical Coordinator
role almost straight afterwards, because
my husband was a Head of Mission
there.
Name: BEVERLEY COLLIN
Profile: Paediatric nurse/social anthropologist
MSF Missions: 12
MSF Roles: Nurse, Medical Coordinator,Biomedical Analyst, Health Advisor, Medical Advocacy Officer
Countries: Somalia, Sudan, Palestine, DRC, Afghanistan, Mexico, Indonesia, Colombia, India,UK
“I never saw thingsas an obstacle, onlyas a challenge.”
When you are in a couple, life with MSF
is undoubtedly hard. My husband and I
were frequently admired because
colleagues had not actually realised that
we were married. Career and personal
life may have been scrambled together,
but we had amazing experiences
together and I would not have changed
anything.
I have met so many inspiring people
along the way and have made firm
friends with expats and national staff. I
have learned that against adversity,
people will make the most of their
situation and adapt and cope.
My future plans are to perhaps study
again, so that I can link this to my
current role as a Medical Advocacy
Officer in the Programmes Unit in the
MSF UK office in London. I don’t rule
out going back to the NHS either.
© R
on H
aviv
/VII –
DRC 2
005
I studied International Relations atuniversity, and through these studies knewI wanted to work in the third sector andwork towards what could be achieved forneglected populations through non-governmental organisations. I first workedin the Fundraising Department at Oxfamand then moved in their EmergenciesDepartment but knew I wanted to work inthe field at this early stage of my career.MSF had stuck in my head from watchingnews reports of the Rwandan genocide in1994 and it came across as anorganisation who went out there anddelivered.
After a three-month period of field work
with Oxfam as an Office Manager I applied
to join MSF as administrator and was
accepted as a FinCo and had my first field
mission in China. The initial months of the
first mission were really difficult because I
arrived in the middle of an emergency
response to flooding in the South of China
in 1998. China restricted the number of
international staff present and therefore
was a relatively small team working on a
widespread problem. As a result everybody
were absolutely exhausted. I was a first
mission FinCo with not much financial
experience and felt I was thrown into the
deep end. The lack of other NGOs also
made it quite an isolated experience. After
the first six months once the emergency
response wound down, I settled in and
got to grips with the work I was doing
and enjoyed it so much that I extended
my contract and stayed for 18 months.
After a year and a half it had really come
together, I got to know China and was
feeling at home and on top of my work
and the context.
After my first insight into MSF, I was
interested to know more and went on to
my second role working in the Afghanistan
mission, which can be described as a
more typical MSF programme. As the
FinCo, I was based in Pakistan, travelling
in and out of Afghanistan supporting the
three projects we ran there. After my
second mission, it was suggested I apply
for a position in the HQ in Amsterdam in
the Finance Department, supporting FinCos
in the field. I did this for a year but whilst
this initial period of working in finance was
a good experience, it was not for me for
the long-term. I knew that my ambition
was actually to work in Programme
Management. Finance was a good way of
Name: VICKIE HAWKINS
Profile: Programme management
MSF Missions: 9
MSF Roles: Financial Controller, Budget Controller, Project Coordinator, ProgrammesOfficer, Head of MSF UK Programmes Unit,Deputy Head of Mission
Countries: China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Holland, Myanmar, UK
starting and has also given me a great
basis in the financial management of our
programmes, which is important for a
coordinator for reasons of accountability,
but it was not ultimately what I wanted to
do. In my end of (second) mission
evaluation, I was recommended by the
Head of Mission to attend the Project
Management Course and my following
mission was as a Project Coordinator, so my
stint in Amsterdam was effectively also a bit
of time out of the field. I learned a lot
about MSF from that HQ role that helped
me in the field.
My third mission as a Project Coordinator
took me back to Pakistan in 2002 where,
following the fall of the Taliban, large
numbers of displaced people had gathered
on the Pakistan/Afghan border. We ran a
cross-border project that work in the camps
on both sides. This mission taught me a
great deal about MSF's witnessing and
advocacy role as I was involved in a lot of
both public and private efforts to try to
improve the situation of the displaced
people, which I was then able to draw
upon for my next position. After this
mission, I was debriefing in the London
office and was alerted to a role in the
Programmes Unit. Yet, again, an opportunity
presented itself so I took it. I negotiated
that my first few years at MSF UK would be
quite mobile, so I did a subsequent five
missions of about two months at a time,
working again as FinCo, PC and latterly, a
Head of Mission. All in all I was in the
field for one third of my time. The Director
at the time supported this believing that it
“I have stayed around long-termbecause MSF has allowed me to make my own opportunities.”
was also good for the UK office, which
doesn't directly manage programmes, to be
so involved in the running of our field work.
It was a fortunate meeting of agendas! I
support the idea of MSF staff switching
from field to HQ and then back again – and
back again. It is a positive thing for both
the career of the individual and the
organisation. I am going back to the field
after 9 years in MSF UK to be Deputy Head
of Mission at the MSF OCA Myanmar
mission. Once again, I have learned an
enormous amount in HQ and I am taking
that back to the field with me (as well as
two children!). Possibly that's why I was
quite a good fit for the position, I under-
stand how the MSF movement works and
can capitalise upon it.
A longer-term career with MSF does require
flexibility geographically. After some time
back in the field, if I want to stay with MSF,
I will probably need to be prepared to look
at positions in other European cities such
as Geneva. It is this flexibility which has
enabled me to combine field and HQ
experience, which has been a very fulfilling
career path. But also you have to show
initiative and to an extent make your own
opportunities. The advantage of this is that
it gives you choice (sometimes too much!)
and new challenges. I have worked for MSF
for 13 years but this does not feel like a
long time when it has involved five different
roles and six different countries. And that
has been a challenging journey and most
importantly a rewarding one. For me work
has never been about the financial rewards
(luckily!), it is about job satisfaction in an
organisation that presents new challenges
to you at every step. I also just really
believe in the job that MSF is doing often
in very difficult circumstances. The
commitment of the organisation, and the
people that work in it, is highly impressive.
Apart from the media coverage in the‘CNN emergencies’ there are also the‘unsexy’, not very ‘glam’, emergenciesand what attracted me to MSF was thefact that they operate where there is aneed. Sometimes we are the only onesthere. I was attracted by the MSF’spolicy of ‘temoignage’ (bearing witness)– if you can witness and speak out youcan perhaps change and improve theplight of people whose voice isunheard.
I had two years’ experience with VSO
before joining MSF and going on my
first mission to Somalia. I was shocked
by the security and the necessity of
armed guards and drivers, but enjoyed
it so much I extended my contract from
six to 18 months. I loved the teaching
side of my work and the fact that it was
so appreciated. We felt that our
provision of free treatment and
medications certainly made a difference
to people’s lives.
The excellent MSF technical support,
advice and security back-up ensured
that I did not feel on my own and I
knew that I wanted to continue with
MSF.
I have been on another four MSF
missions. Luckily, I can work in the UK
so I don’t feel trapped in the
humanitarian world or the NHS. This
means I could chose each time whether
to stay in the UK or go abroad,
depending on what is available,
sometimes going with MSF, but also
sometimes going out with another NGO.
I also chose not to become a project
coordinator or a medical coordinator,
preferring the hands-on work on the
ground.
The highlight for me is being able to
use my skills and training as a clinician.
People come to us from miles away and
we give them hope to carry on. We
make an impact on far more people’s
lives than we ever do back home.
MSF is an organisation where you will
be stretched and challenged and learn a
huge amount about yourself. MSF has
Name: SIMON BURLING
Profile: Medical Doctor
MSF Missions: 6
MSF Roles: Medical Doctor, Medical Coordinator
Countries: Somalia, Sudan, DRC
given me a different perspective about
life, values and work. This is a self-
questioning culture, full of debate with
a view to improve. MSF has also
supported me through technical courses
like Clinical Management of HIV Course
(done by College of Medicine,
Johannesburg) and Drug Resistant TB
(Geneva).
When I come home, starting work up
again is not a problem – quite often I
am offered it while I am out in the field.
I have learned to be flexible and can
work in different environments and
resources. I get a lot of respect for
giving talks in the UK which are
certainly different from your normal
‘management of high blood pressure’
ones. Colleagues think that my MSF
work helps my techniques when I am
home and I have no problems with
maintaining my registration because you
can keep up your skills while in the
field.
Simon is currently a GP in North Wales
but is also a member of the MSF UK
and MSF OCA Board. MSF is funding
him to study a Diploma in Medical
Education.
“I get a lot of respectfrom UK colleagues fordoing MSF work and itactually helps my workback here in the UK.”
© F
rance
sco Z
izola
/Noor
– Indonesi
a 2
005
I came across MSF while back-packingin Cambodia and when I returned toLondon, I rang the office. It was duringthe Rwanda crisis and, because of myemergency nurse background, I wasasked: “Can you get on a plane in 36hours?” and then I was in Goma in notime and in my naivety I just got onwith it. I quickly became a projectcoordinator in the hospital and it wasnot easy.
Since then I have done a mixture of
field positions and several HQ positions.
This plethora of roles is actually
reflected in my background: although I
am a nurse, I have a degree in arts,
philosophy, and politics with major in
economics and legal studies. My master
was in Emergency and Development
Studies. Outside MSF, I have experience
in banking and small business
management as well as freelancing and
writing/editing. Quite a mixed bag really.
I have been able to manoeuvre myself
and through creativity and flexibility I
have followed quite a journey.
I was mentored within MSF and quickly
undertook roles other than nurse or PC.
To be honest, in emergencies, I have
often gone as a nurse for a short while
– or even to do logistics – that’s the
beauty of MSF. I flourish where I have
autonomy. MSF is very receptive to such
people and plays to their strengths. I
feel that I have had choices and
opportunities outside the conventional
roles. This is not unique and others
within MSF have experienced the same.
Name: JACQUI TONG
Profile: Nurse background with various other experience
MSF Missions: 11
MSF Roles: Nurse, project coordinator, medicalcoordinator, head of mission, working in theProgrammes Unit, advocacy and lobbying,research roles, training, event management,conducting evaluations and assessments, former President of MSF UK
Countries: Somalia, Sierra Leone, Iran, Philippines, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Sudan, India, Nigeria, Zimbabwe,Albania, DRC, Liberia
© Juan Carlos Tomasi/Palestinian Authority 2002
My highlights are all those ‘small
miracles’ of patients’ survival, those that
bring you back to your sense of
purpose. To describe MSF I would have
to quote Charles Dickens: “It was the
best of times; it was the worst of
times.”
Jacqui has also been President of MSF
UK Board (and member of the MSF OCA
and International Councils) and is
currently occupying the role of Senior
Advocacy and Lobbying Coordinator for
neglected diseases.
“It was the best of times;it was the worst of times.”
Name: DANI STEIN
Profile: Nurse
MSF Missions: 9
MSF Roles: Nurse
Countries: Zimbabwe, Angola, Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia
My first humanitarian experience waswith GOAL in 1998. Having gained thisexperience I embarked on my first MSFmission in Angola in 2000.
Angola was very volatile and full of
landmines and I felt naive working in
such a context on my first mission. I
was not frightened but I certainly lacked
confidence because all this was a new
experience. I was there for six months
and felt I hadn’t had a lot to give the
people. But, on reflection, I see now
that this was not true.
My favourite area of work is nutrition
and I love seeing the direct impact my
work can have. One day, in Zimbabwe,
we admitted a ten-year-old boy called
Nevermind. He was emaciated; we didn’t
think he would make it; he was HIV
positive and an orphan. Two weeks
later, he was much better and one
month later was healthy, on ART and on
an Ambulatory Feeding Programme. It is
these survival stories that make
everything so worthwhile.
I have a passion for Africa. Two months
after each return I get itchy feet and
want to go back. I have learnt a lot
about myself and human behaviour. I
have a lot of respect for African culture.
In the press you only hear about the
corruption and the violence. I have seen
these communities and they are kind
and giving. These people have an
immense sense of ‘carrying on’ through
hardship and want to live. Western
greed has a thing or two to learn from
the simplicity of these communities.
While working with MSF I always felt
that I was in control of my choices. I
had a say over the place, the mission
and the roles I was offered. I never felt
pushed and always felt that I could say
‘No’. I could have been a PC or a
MedCo, but it was not what I wanted. A
lot of people view success as a ladder
you have to climb. I have found what I
want. It is the proximity that I love. I
want to be close to the children. I am a
nurse and that's what I want to carry on
doing. I am an active, hands-on person
and I could never survive an office
environment, with computers and endless reports. I just love
being a nurse.
Working with MSF should not be a one-off experience. On my
first mission, I didn’t have the know-how, so I understand
when other first timers do not have the optimum experience.
My other missions were definitely better; because I had picked
up the skills, the experience. I attended the Population en
Situations Précaire (PSP) MSF course. Today I have a
completely different attitude. I know MSF, I understand MSF. I
am open to the cultures I come across. We share experiences
with the national staff, I allow myself to learn from them. I
have a different approach to team work and equality.
“A lot of people viewsuccess as a ladderyou have to climb. Ijust love being anurse.”
© F
rederic
Courb
et/Panos
– S
om
alia 2
010
My first project with MSF was as aMedical Doctor in northern Sudan in1999. It was an amazing experience andI learned so much and so quickly – Iwas given a lot of responsibility. Everyday I faced challenges and a little 9month old boy called Ali was one ofthem. He was very sick and I was notsure he would survive even 1 day. Hestayed with us for two months and nearthe end he gave me a smile, for thefirst time. While it was one of the mostrewarding moments of my career, Irealised that we were sending him backto an awful situation where there waslimited clean water, no nutritious foodand practically no health care provision.It was at this stage that I realised Iwanted to be part of the bigger picture.
As a result of wanting to work from a
broader viewpoint, my second trip was
as Project Coordinator. It was not just
about treating the people who came to
our facilities but also the possibility of
reaching those that could not make the
journey. Next to medical engagement
this also required negotiating with the
military for security reasons and
ensuring a positive team spirit.
MSF then funded me to attend the
Medical Management Course (MMC) and
the Short Course on Anti Retroviral
Treatment (SCART). I also received
financial support for my Masters in
Public Health.
After working in several countries I had
the opportunity to become a Strategic
Health Advisor in the head office. I
enjoyed supporting teams to deliver
quality medical projects with the
resources available and help them
through the dilemmas of making
impossible choices for the programmes
and the patients. I also gained insight
into the organisations big picture
discussions, which still kept patient
needs at the centre of the debate.
Name: TEJSHRI SHAH
Profile: Medical Doctor
MSF Missions: 5
MSF Roles: Medical Doctor, Project Coordinator,Medical Coordinator, Strategic Health Advisor,Head of the Manson Unit
Countries: Sudan, Indonesia, Liberia, Nigeria, DRC, Burundi, Nepal, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh,UK
“Grab life with both hands.”
My most recent position with MSF was
heading a medical unit in MSF’s London
Office that provides direct support to
field teams to implement new medical
programmes, such as care for patients
with drug resistant tuberculosis. I
enjoyed this work because it remained
focused on the practical needs on the
ground.
I have recently returned to Paediatrics in
the National Health Service and MSF
supported me in the decision to be a
frontline doctor again with some time
off and some financial support for
courses.
I feel a lot of affection for so many
colleagues and patients I have met
along the way, who have been
determined, humbling and inspiring. It’s
been a privilege to work with MSF.
The MSF Charter
Médecins Sans Frontières offers assistance to
people in distress, to victims of natural or man-
made disasters and to victims of armed conflict,
without discrimination and irrespective of race,
religion, creed or political affiliation.
Médecins Sans Frontières observes strict
neutrality and impartiality in the name of
universal medical ethics and the right to
humanitarian assistance.
Médecins Sans Frontières demands full and
unhindered freedom in the exercise of its
functions.
Médecins Sans Frontières' volunteers undertake
to respect their professional code of ethics and
to maintain complete independence from all
political, economic and religious powers.
As volunteers, members are aware of the risks
and dangers of missions they undertake, and
have no right to compensation for themselves or
their beneficiaries other than that which
Médecins Sans Frontières is able to afford them.
Want to know more about an MSF career?
Please visit www.msf.org.uk
Or call +44 (0) 20 7067 4261
Or email [email protected]
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