The clashes that erupted in Duékoué in western Côte d'Ivoire on January 3rd resulted in many injured and more than 12,000 displaced persons. In support of the general hospital in the city, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams have treated 53 wounded in five days and are currently running primary health care services in the internally displaced people camps.
Since Monday January 3rd, MSF has been supporting the city hospital where a large number of medical personnel were missing. Between Monday 3rd and Friday January 7th, a surgical team treated over 53 wounded. 2 patients died from their injuries. MSF is currently renovating the operating room and is working to improve the hospital water supply. The medical team will continue its technical support to the hospital over the next few days.
Primary health care to displaced people
The situation calmed down over the weekend. Nevertheless, many residents remain displaced. Since Thursday January 6th an MSF team has carried out a daily average of 50 primary health care consultations, particularly for malaria and hypertension, in a makeshift camp where 12,300 displaced people have gathered just outside the town of Duékoué. Seven people have been transferred to hospital.
Outpatient activities in the camp are expected to continue for several weeks. An assessment of health needs will determine the possibilities of implementing an MSF project.
MSF opened its first project in Côte d'Ivoire in 1991. Present in MACA prison in Abidjan, in the city of Bouaké, as well as in the western regions, the teams conducted primary health care (outpatient department, vaccination) and secondary health care activities (surgery, paediatrics, ...), a nutrition project and tuberculosis treatment programme. MSF withdrew in September 2007 when the situation in the country had stabilised.
