Juliet Jacob Ochenje
International medical aid group, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has said it will start offering partial services in Zurmi town of Zamfara State following continuous terrorists attacks.
In a statement issued by its Communication Officer, Abdulkareem Yakubu, on Friday, the non-governmental organisation said since December 10, some of the terrorists’ confrontations have occurred dangerously close to a hospital supported by MSF.
Yakubu regretted that, “These armed clashes have provoked the displacement of thousands of people in need of security, shelter and access to basic services. Humanitarian support is needed to help those in dire need of assistance.
“Faced with important security risks, MSF medical teams on the ground had to evacuate part of its staff and are unable to function optimally, having to suspend the provision of health care to communities outside the town.
“In this context, our team is concerned about patients in need of medical treatment as they are unable to reach the hospital in a safe manner.”
The MSF Deputy Field Coordinator in Zurmi, Adjide Hermann, also explained that some of the patients refused to leave the hospital out of fear, adding that they have no choice but to reduce part of their team, and the staff who are still working at the hospital are afraid of what is going to happen next.
