Page 147 - JSOM Summer 2020

ethnic pro-democracy groups, FBR trains, supplies, and later is primarily volunteer based and is best known for projects in
coordinates with what will become highly mobile multipur- conflict zones and in countries affected by endemic diseases.
pose relief teams. After their training is complete, these teams About 90% of the organization’s funding comes from private
provide critical emergency medical care, shelter, food, cloth- donors, and corporate donations provide the rest. Today they
ing, and human rights documentation in their home regions. are active in more than 60 countries worldwide.
FBR teams provide front line relief and record and report on
the welfare of the populous, from military action to education
and human rights violations. They also monitor drug produc-
tion and markets and environmental concerns.
The FBR provides a training course for healthcare workers in
Burma known as the Jungle School of Medicine-Kawthoolei
(JSMK), a medical school program operating since 2011 that
provides a 14-month training course for beginning medics.
Trained medics then function within FBR teams or go on to
work in the Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW)
clinics. They also provide a 3-month relief team training course
and a 5- to 10-day course in Sudan, Iraq, and Syria.
The main objective of most MSF missions is to provide medical
Receiving no government funding, the FBR organization relies aid, although some missions focus on providing water purifi-
entirely on the donations of churches and individuals. They ei- cation and nutrition to the populous. Medical volunteers in the
ther purchase or receive donated supplies in the countries of organization include physicians, surgeons, nurses, and various
operation, thereby avoiding any legal issues that might be as- other specialists. These volunteers provide medical, nutritional,
sociated with importing controlled substances. They typically and educational training. MSF medical missions include pro-
lack imaging and other powered surgical instruments, so they viding treatment and vaccination for several infectious diseases
focus on providing primary medical support and evacuating as well as AIDS prevention efforts. In most countries, MSF
patients to a higher level of care; often, in the form of local increases the capabilities of local hospitals by improving san-
medical facilities. Supplies and equipment are commonly lim- itation, providing equipment and drugs, and training local hos-
ited, thus, the FBR must often improvise and use a bit of in- pital staff. When the locals are not able to provide adequate
genuity. A common example is the fabrication of litters using care, MSF opens specialized clinics for treatment of endemic
bamboo poles and hammocks. The FBR do not have military diseases or surgery for victims of war. International volunteers
or government MEDEVAC platforms, therefore, they must rely initially set up and run these clinics but strive to increase the lo-
on their own CASEVAC protocols (i.e., by any means possible). cal medical practitioner’s skills and ability to manage the clinics
on their own by offering training and supervision.
Ex-military medics and medical workers do not require ad-
ditional certifications or clearance to join the FBR; however, In 1999, MSF had started an international “Campaign for Ac-
in some cases, volunteers must complete a vetting process to cess to Essential Medicines” in order to increase the availability
enter certain countries. While food and board are provided of essential medication in developing countries. The campaign
for all volunteers, the cost and specifics of travel can depend is pushing to lower the prices of existing drugs, vaccines, and
on the outcome of the vetting process. FBR volunteers must diagnostic tests, while seeking to stimulate research and devel-
follow the rules of the countries in which they operate, and in opment into new treatments for diseases that primarily affect
the event of operating within the borders of closed countries, the poor. Their goal is to overcome barriers that prevent pa-
they will enter with resistance groups. tients getting the treatment they need. Additionally, MSF has
developed and produces prepackaged disaster kits that are
Though FBR teams often work alongside rebel armies that ready for transport within hours. These kits include a com-
fight for the oppressed, they do not always carry firearms. The plete surgical theatre the size of a small conference table and
need to be armed depends on the surroundings in which they an obstetrics kit the size of a two-drawer file. To ensure swift
are operating. When armed, members carry weapons not just response to crisis, MSF owns and operates logistics centers and
for personal protection but also to fight off aggressive attacks, supply warehouses throughout the globe. These warehouses
such as when faced with human rights violations and other are used to buy, trade, and store assets such as vehicles, com-
atrocities inflicted upon civilians. Much like medical supplies, munication equipment, power supplies, water-processing facil-
the FBR do not import weapons; rather, they receive them ities, and nutritional supplements. They also store thousands
from local sources within the country of operation of tents, shelter kits, and other nonperishable items. Planes are
ready to be loaded and flown into crisis areas within 24 hours.
Medicines Sans Frontiers
MSF accepts volunteers who apply through their website. After
Medicines Sans Frontiers, which is French for “Doctors with- volunteering, any individual can apply for individual member-
out Borders,” is an international, humanitarian, medical NGO ship of MSF International, provided they meet certain criteria.
originating in 1971, in the aftermath of the Biafra secession Although MSF is a nonprofit organization, members receive a
(Nigerian civil war). MSF was founded by a small group of salary that goes up with years of experience in the organiza-
French physicians and journalists who sought to expand ac- tion. MSF provide their members with a wide array of courses
cessibility to medical care across national boundaries, irre- to help improve their knowledge and skills, along with the di-
spective of race, religion, creed, or political affiliation. MSF verse training that they give to their host nation counterparts.

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