Giving Compass' Take:

• Scarlett Brannigan reflects on her time following a team of doctors saving Nigerians suffering from a disfiguring disease.

• What other diseases like this go unnoticed around the world? How can you do your part to ensure that current organizations stay effective in saving lives globally?

• For more on Doctors Without Borders' life-saving impact, read this article.


The nature of our patients’ disability means their anatomy is abnormal and difficult to predict.  This is challenging for surgeons who have to work around microscopic maps they have learnt across decades of training.

During one surgery, a teenage patient suffered an unpreventable bleed. The team acted fast to stop her losing more blood, however, it had been a challenge.

After the patient was stabilised, the decision was then taken to create our own intensive care unit and sleepover at the hospital, so we could care for her together. Our fantastic anaesthetists, Steve and Tamara, along with our compassionate local staff formed an intensive care night shift team.

To our joy, the next day the patient woke up. She made an excellent recovery.

The key ingredients in this success story were the experts formed in the multidisciplinary team that MSF had created, and the resources which they had provided.

However, if MSF were to ever stop supporting the hospital, such outcomes are questionable.  Despite the best local medical staff who are passionate about caring for their community, the realities in this resource restrained environment may prohibit them from safely doing so.

MSFs’ impact is felt throughout the hospital. There is a tangible feeling of shared humanity in the relationships between patients, families, local and international colleagues whilst you work there.

The heartbreaking repetition of young children brought through the door with their faces mutilated by Noma needs to be addressed at an international level.

Until such violations of their rights are addressed, it is essential that MSF supports the families in the holistic rehabilitation that they will require for years to come.

Read the full article about giving to save lives in Nigeria by Scarlett Brannigan at Doctors Without Borders.