Kurram Agency, Pakistan: Sadda hospital hit by mortar in recent surge of sectarian violence
Jun 23, 2009
The international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) expresses its alarm over the lack of access to medical treatment for civilians during the current sectarian clashes in Kurram Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
In the afternoon of 22 June, a mortar hit the hospital compound in Sadda where MSF runs an outpatient department, slightly injuring two children and forcing MSF to temporarily stop all medical activities.
“It is unacceptable that civilians are suffering and that crucial delivery of medical aid has been interrupted. We call upon the parties to the conflict in Kurram Agency to safeguard access for the civilians to medical healthcare and to respect the neutrality of health structures” says Nigel JENKINS, coordinator for MSF’s work in Kurram Agency.
MSF is the only international medical organization providing aid in Alizai and Sadda. Since March 2006, MSF offers outpatient paediatric services together with emergency obstetric referral services in both Alizai and Sadda Hospitals.
Since the end of 2007, violence has led to a dramatic drop in patient numbers. Ongoing insecurity prevents many people from accessing medical services. Currently only the most critical patients arrive at our doors. MSF teams in the hospitals are prepared with clash response kits to treat wounded.
MSF is present in Pakistan since 1998 to address the medical needs of populations suffering from armed conflict. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, as they have limited access to health care. MSF is currently carrying out medical activities in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and in Balochistan, with 738 staff.
In Pakistan, MSF does not accept funding from any government or donor agency, and relies solely on private donations from the general public to carry out its work.
In the afternoon of 22 June, a mortar hit the hospital compound in Sadda where MSF runs an outpatient department, slightly injuring two children and forcing MSF to temporarily stop all medical activities.
“It is unacceptable that civilians are suffering and that crucial delivery of medical aid has been interrupted. We call upon the parties to the conflict in Kurram Agency to safeguard access for the civilians to medical healthcare and to respect the neutrality of health structures” says Nigel JENKINS, coordinator for MSF’s work in Kurram Agency.
MSF is the only international medical organization providing aid in Alizai and Sadda. Since March 2006, MSF offers outpatient paediatric services together with emergency obstetric referral services in both Alizai and Sadda Hospitals.
Since the end of 2007, violence has led to a dramatic drop in patient numbers. Ongoing insecurity prevents many people from accessing medical services. Currently only the most critical patients arrive at our doors. MSF teams in the hospitals are prepared with clash response kits to treat wounded.
MSF is present in Pakistan since 1998 to address the medical needs of populations suffering from armed conflict. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, as they have limited access to health care. MSF is currently carrying out medical activities in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and in Balochistan, with 738 staff.
In Pakistan, MSF does not accept funding from any government or donor agency, and relies solely on private donations from the general public to carry out its work.
Leave a Comment