: Canadian Portfolio

News Articles

Multimedia

Approximately 59,000 women die every year in Nigeria from complications in childbirth, giving the country the seventh-highest maternal mortality rate in the world according to the United Nations Population Fund. 

In 2009 there was a meningitis epidemic, a cholera outbreak, and ethnic and religious tensions flared up in the northern and southern parts of the country. In response, MSF provided maternal healthcare and surgical support, launched a widespread meningitis vaccination campaign that treated 4.7 million people, and provided treatment for cholera.

Improving maternal health in northern Nigeria

In the north of the country, the focus was on improving access to emergency maternal care in Sokoto State, where MSF supports the mother and child care programme at the main hospital. 8,100 malnourished children under five years old in Sokoto State and Kebbi State were also cared for.

MSF worked in emergency maternal care in Jigawa State. The team helped nearly 1,600 women give birth and treated more than 2,500 women for complications in pregnancy. In addition 219 women were operated on for fistula repair surgery.  

Emergencies and epidemics

Throughout 2009, emergency teams dealt with epidemics and emergencies. This included conducting a comprehensive meningitis vaccination campaign that involved vaccinating 4.7 million people across nine states. Teams also provided 4,500 people with treatment following a cholera outbreak in Borno state.

Trauma care in the Niger Delta

MSF runs programmes in the Rivers and Bayelsa states in the Niger Delta. Here in Port Harcourt hospital MSF provides medical care via a 75-bed health centre. In 2009, 8,300 people received care, 42 per cent of whom were treated for violence-related injuries. Overall, more than 2,100 patients were admitted and more than 2,850 surgeries were carried out, and 450 victims of sexual violence received medical support and counselling.

In the southern part of Bayelsa State, MSF worked at the Oloibiri Health Centre. 1,000 consultations were carried out each month and a mobile clinic service provided consultations to more than 1,100 people in 14 different locations.

MSF has worked in Nigeria since 1996.

Multimedia

2006 HIV/AIDS treatment in Nigeria

More

RSS – MSF feed containing news releases, website updates, vacancies, and events

MSF PODCASTS – Podcasts from MSF missions around the world

FIELD BLOGS – Personal stories of our volunteers working in the field

BULLETIN BOARD – Discussion fora, job postings, and events

MSF ASSOCIATION – Intranet for MSF Association members