DIARY NOTE – MSF Scientific Days

Thursday 9 May presents findings and medical data from MSF projects around the world. A keynote speech from former MSF International President, Dr James Orbinski, will explore the topic of migration and urbanisation, including climate change as a driver of migration and the subsequent health impacts. The keynote is followed by a discussion around this topic, calling on the expertise of Professor Mala Rao OBE, Imperial College London, and Willemieke van den Broek, MSF.

Friday 10 May demonstrates the latest solutions and technologies to help deliver medical aid in humanitarian settings. With a keynote speech, ‘World after Midnight’ by Eddie Obeng, and innovation demonstration sessions taking place over lunch including SurgiBox: the operating room in a backpack; virtual reality emergency paediatric triage and treatment training; and “DORA”, the Daily Outbreak Reporting App.

Session highlights include:

-       ‘Using the sun for cooling’ – how solar technology could help reduce carbon emissions in MSF projects around the world.  

-       ‘Experts by experience’ – Touria, a survivor of torture from Morocco, talks about her experiences at MSF’s Victims of Torture rehabilitation centre in Athens, Greece. The patient-centred advocacy programme aims to equip participants with the necessary skills and confidence to speak-out on their own terms, and with impact, for the rights and recognition of refugees in Greece.

-       Palliative care in settings of forced migration – a qualitative analysis of people’s experiences living with life-limiting illnesses in Bangladesh, Jordan and Rwanda.

-       Using social media as a powerful tool for patient engagement in Lebanon.

-       The devil's in the data – how humanitarian organisations can harness the opportunities that technology and data innovation offer, while protecting patients and communities and without negating ‘do no harm’ principles.

For the full conference agenda please see the MSF website here. To arrange a free press pass or for more information contact:

Rosalyn Smith
Press Officer, MSF UK
T: +44 207 067 4298 
E: [email protected]