Threats to MSF staff

MSF calls on the parties to the conflict to respect CAR’s structures and health teams, whose sole purpose is to respond to the medical and humanitarian needs of the population they serve. "We hope that people understand it takes tranquility and a physical space to work. And most importantly, we need to respect the physical and psychological integrity of our patients and employees," said the MSF head of mission in the country, Javier Eguren.

"For the last month, the team has been working with many difficulties due to the lack of respect for the hospital facilities and threats to our staff," said the MSF medical advisor in the area, Cecilia Greco.

Escalating tension has caused thousands of people to seek shelter for weeks in the hospital compound, where it has also become habitual for hundreds of families to seek shelter overnight. A shootout took place on Sunday 31 August between armed militants and African peacekeeping forces (MISCA) and left several injured. MSF teams treated two people with gunshot wounds.

"Even more displaced have come after Sunday, nearly 3,000 people are inside the hospital," said Greco. She also claimed that "certain elements tried to seize Muslim patients and team members."

MSF house raided

The temporary suspension of MSF activities in the Batangafo hospital affects hundreds of people attended daily in the outpatient area, as well as a hundred patients admitted to the centre, some of whom will be taken to the town of Kabo, about 50 miles away. Meanwhile, the medical staff of the Ministry of Health and a few members of MSF are in charge of emergency services, maternity and the treatment of TB and HIV patients. Severe cases or those requiring surgery will be referred to Kabo. The MSF-supported health posts in the outskirts of Batangafo are continuing their normal activity.

Tension has increased in the town after strong clashes between armed militias and French peacekeeping forces in early August. The situation has deteriorated: there have been threats against members of MSF and organisation’s staff house was raided for the second time in recent weeks. These facts, together with the lack of security guarantees for health workers and hospital patients, led MSF to decide to withdraw the bulk of its Batangafo team.