Speaking out: what MSF is built on

In my six years of working for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Southern Africa, one of the things I have come to treasure about the organisation is our stance on speaking out and taking action to promote and enhance patient-centred care.

MSF has marked its presence as an outspoken global voice. We speak out and bear witness to what our patients are experiencing not just to raise awareness but also to provoke change. Of course, it is our independence that allows us to speak out and go where other organisations might not. Because our funding comes from private donors like you, our voices cannot be gagged, nor our ambitions restricted because of political or business agendas.

Taking action in the realm of patient-centred care means more than just administering treatment; it recognises patients as active partners in their own wellbeing. It means looking at the communities in which we work as having multifaceted and complex needs. By addressing these factors, we create an environment where individuals receive treatment in a manner conducive to positive outcomes. This holistic perspective provides a sense of dignity by not only acknowledging the medical aspects of care but also the social, economic and cultural elements that shape a patient's experience.

Speaking out and taking action is not always the popular choice, and it is never easy. However, it is the bedrock that MSF is built on. By staying true to this commitment, we continue to give voice to the voiceless, fight for equitable medical care and go where we are needed the most – even when others won’t. Thank you for standing with us in this commitment.