The Nobel-prize winning organization Doctors Without Borders is currently hosting an interactive exhibit in Chapel Hill to raise awareness about the world crisis in medicines for neglected diseases. No new medicines for tuberculosis have been developed in the past 30 years even though one-third of the world's population is infected and increasing numbers of people have a multi-drug resistant type of bacteria. Whether one analyzes the problem of infectious disease in the developing world from an economic or scientific or human rights perspective, the same bottom line emerges: It is crucial that the United States and other developed nations contribute to the global response against infectious diseases.
Doctors Without Borders has been at the forefront of this response, deploying teams of logistics, administrative, medical, nursing and other health professionals into the most dangerous, war-torn areas. What medical relief organization was the last to leave Afghanistan and the first to return once conditions stabilized? What organization has received awards and recognition from dozens of governments and international agencies? The very same Doctors Without Borders now showcased in Chapel Hill.
This exciting opportunity to speak with current Doctors Without Borders volunteers, physicians and other health professionals in an excellent introduction to the global inequities of health care. UNC is extremely lucky to be included on the Doctors Without Borders domestic tour to raise awareness about TB, malaria, kala azar and sleeping sickness. The Access Expo's last day will be Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the large tractor-trailer in front of UNC Hospitals on Manning Drive. For more information, please see the Web site http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org
Joseph Tucker
UNC School of Medicine
Class of 2004
