Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

Niger Health Minister Says No to Return of Medical Charity

by Rajashri on October 21, 2008 at 12:55 PM
 Niger Health Minister Says No to Return of Medical Charity

Local media is reporting that Niger's health minister is standing by his decision to ban a French medical charity, saying the state could do its work.

National radio broadcast remarks by Issa Lamine the day before asking members of the nation's parliament not to seek to overturn his decision to suspend the activities of Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF, Doctors without Borders).

Advertisement

"I think we need not mobilise ourselves to bring MSF back," he told deputies.

"Let MSF leave and let the state be able to deploy the means needed to take charge of the people's health."

On July 18 Niger suspended the activities of MSF-France in the south-central region of Maradi, accusing it of refusing to cooperate with public services and maintaining an "endemic malnutrition" among children with the complicity of their mothers.
Advertisement

Lamine charged MSF with providing "false" statistics about children suffering from malnutrition in order to "mobilise a lot of money" from donors.

Since the charity's activities had been suspended the Maradi hospital had only admitted "46 children suffering from malnutrition" while MSF was claiming "an average of 500 admissions a week in its camps," he said.

"It is three months since all MSF's camps were closed and yet the situation is not dramatic at Maradi."

Lamine said he would give jobs to the 350 local staff that MSF was preparing to lay off.

MSF-France wants to resume its work in Maradi as soon as possible and earlier this month sent its president Marie-Pierre Allie to Niamey in an effort to resolve the problem.

"At the moment we are between harvests, the most sensitive time of the year; to be unable to look after malnutrition is extremely worrying," she said.

In mid-July, 3,400 children were being treated in MSF centres in Maradi, of whom 180 were in hospital, she said.

Maradi is Niger's most disadvantaged region, according to a government inquiry published last week.

Source: AFP
RAS/SK
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest General Health News

Japan Approves Bill for Medicinal Cannabis Use
The Japanese parliament approved a bill allowing medical cannabis products and prohibiting their use for non-medicinal purposes.
Americans Struggle to Keep Up Healthy Habits in Holiday Season
Most Americans confess that due to constant flurry of activity during the holiday season, it is difficult to eat nutritiously, exercise, and get enough sleep.
Depression, Constipation & Urinary Tract Infection: Early Signs of Multiple Sclerosis
People who suffer from depression, constipation, and urinary tract infections are more likely to get multiple sclerosis(MS) five years before MS diagnosis.
Antibiotic Misuse Can Cause Kidney Stones & Infection
Seeking internet help for an incomplete antibiotic course resulted in kidney stone formation and urinary tract infection in a young woman.
Brain Care Score Tracks Dementia & Stroke Risks
The Brain Care Score is a tool to evaluate brain health and reduce the risk of brain disorders including dementia and stroke.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Niger Health Minister Says No to Return of Medical Charity Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests