Ebola Virus Virion
The charity I have chosen to feature in this essay is Doctors Without Borders. I'm reminded of their essential and selfless service as I read about the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Medical care is always important, but with a disease like Ebola, which kills about 50% of those it strikes, skilled treatment is vital. In the past, medical interventions for Ebola were only minimally effective. These consisted mostly of supportive care, such as as fluid replenishment and oxygen supplementation. But now, caregivers have new tools at their disposal.
Several drugs show promise as treatments and a vaccine is offered that seems to be effective. With these pharmacological weapons, doctors and nurses are better prepared to defeat Ebola. If they can reach the afflicted in time, they may be able to save many lives and prevent widespread contagion.
As was true in the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, Doctors Without Borders volunteers are rushing today toward danger, not away from it. They receive little reward for showing such remarkable courage. And sometimes, they are treated quite badly.
I think of the nurse who returned from a tour in Ebola-stricken Sierra Leone. Upon arriving in the United States, she was shuffled off to a quarantine tent. Rather than receiving recognition for her service, she was incarcerated.
The Ancient Greek Physician, Hippocrates
The Hippocratic Oath, which spells out principles that are supposed to guide physicians, includes a promise to "come for the benefit of the sick".
Whenever and wherever Ebola appears, it presents a global health risk. It is deadly and virulent. It is always just a plane ride away from anywhere in the world. When volunteers from Doctors Without Borders rush to the scene of an outbreak, they are not only helping the afflicted, they are also protecting the rest of us from a potential epidemic. They put themselves on the front lines. Some of them succumb to disease, and some suffer prolonged consequences from their service.
Hurricane Fifi, off the Coast of Honduras in 1974
Doctors without Borders, also known as Medicines sans Frontiers, was founded in 1971, in response to a humanitarian crisis in Biafra. Three hundred healthcare workers and journalists decided to organize for future action, because they felt the humanitarian response had been inadequate in Biafra. These three hundred founders became the core of Doctors Without Borders.
In 1972, when a devastating earthquake hit Nicaragua, they jumped into action. Then, again, in 1974, when Hurricane Fifi raged across Honduras, Doctors Without Border went to the disaster area. And so they did again, and again--in Serbia, and Afghanistan, and Nigeria--wherever disaster struck.
According to their website, since 1971 Doctors Without Borders has treated over a hundred million people. I think all of us should support the work of this great charity. It's the right thing to do, and it also is in our self interest that the organization remain strong and effective.
Today Doctors Without Borders employs 35,000 workers around the world. These workers offer life, and alleviation of suffering. There is no better reason for us to offer them our support.