Leading the charge: Médecins Sans Frontières receives the 2015 Lasker~Bloomberg Public Service Award

摘要

The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa has been unprecedented in many respects, including its geographical spread, the number of individuals infected, and duration. Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders) was among the first organizations to respond to early reports of a hemorrhagic fever of unknown origin in Guinea. MSF called upon the international community to act early during the outbreak, but these early warnings were largely dismissed or thought to be overstated. MSF responders have worked tirelessly and continue to do so to provide care to those infected with Ebola, to educate affected communities, and to support local healthcare providers. For their bold leadership and unwavering support during the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa and their continued efforts to provide health care to people in crisis throughout the world, MSF is being recognized with the 2015 Lasker~Bloomberg Public Service Award (Figure 1).MSF was established in 1971 by a group of French doctors and journalists with the goal of providing aid and improving the welfare of patients in crisis, regardless of race, religion, politics, or ideology. The founders of MSF were inspired to act after witnessing the devastation and the restrictions placed on international aid organizations trying to provide care and food to those within the secessionist state of Biafra in southeastern Nigeria. The organization focuses on providing emergency relief and has launched campaigns all over the world to provide medical treatment to people affected by war, disease, political instability, and natural disasters. In this capacity, MSF also bears witness to the atrocities their patients face and have been outspoken advocates throughout their history. Since its inception, MSF has treated over 100 million patients and currently has programs underway in some 70 countries. MSF prioritizes its resources to the areas of greatest need and often leads the charge to provide medical care in response to national disasters, refugee crises, war, and disease outbreaks (1).