Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) will host a two day science and technology conference in London and New Delhi on 7-8 May, 2015. The first day will focus on innovative approaches and technology in humanitarian response, the second on medical research from our frontline projects around the world.
Highlights for MSF Scientific Day 2015 include:
A session focused on the Ebola outbreak, including presentations on state enforced containment measures, care of Ebola-positive pregnant women and follow-up care for survivors.
Presentations on the use of new technology and community mobilisation to map forgotten areas of the world both in anticipation of a humanitarian emergency and during one, as happened during Sierra Leone’s Ebola outbreak when local people used their smartphones to map 950 villages in 2 weeks. See how we use simple technologies to create maps, how we use them, and what we plan to do next.
New technology for an old disease: use of unmanned aerial vehicles for tuberculosis sample transport in Papua New Guinea, where road transport to laboratories is challenging.
New research that shows a potential revolution in type 1 diabetes care: heat stability of insulin in tropical conditions. This study sought to determine whether insulin could be safely stored by patients without cold facilities (e.g. in the Dadaab refugee camp). The results could revolutionise care delivery to type 1 diabetic patients in many parts of the world.
Meeting the health needs of Syrian refugees in Jordan: a novel model for non-communicable disease care for refugees. The results of this new study will be an important blueprint for MSF and other organisations to learn how best to care for people with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease when they become refugees.
The London event will take place at the Royal Society of Medicine. Speakers include Jeremy Farrar, Director of the Wellcome Trust, and J. Soka Moses, Clinical Coordinator, Liberia Ministry of Defence Ebola Treatment Unit/ Ministry of Health/Incident Management System Ebola Response.
