In Nigeria, insecurity hampers medical care. On Friday, December 15, clashes broke out in the town of Zurmi in the state of Zamfara (northwest of the country). The Doctors Without Borders association had to evacuate around ten of its staff to the neighboring town of Gusau.
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Exchanges of fire between armed groups and the Nigerian army were heard near Zurmi General Hospital. These fights forced Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to evacuate around ten of its staff to the neighboring town of Gusau. Fights which, for Hubert Kashama, medical coordinator for MSF in Nigeria – joined by Christina Okello – are getting closer and closer to health establishments: “ On two occasions, attacks and exchanges of fire came close to the hospital, which affected the morale of our existing medical staff. »
Sick “ affected by fear »
“ And what even pushed them to “hibernate” in a room to hide and somewhat avoid the risk of exposure to bulletscontinues Hubert Kashama. This did not leave the sick unscathed either, since they were so affected by fear, some of them broke free and left. »
“ And that’s something they [nos staffs médicaux] cannot control. As far as I know, this is the first time it’s gotten this close. However, the area has always been subject to many repeated attacks and insecurity on the roads here and there. But until then it had not yet reached the level where our staff was assigned, at the hospital level », concludes the MSF medical coordinator in Nigeria.
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