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29 August 2024, Colombo
The second edition of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)/Doctors Without Borders South Asia’s Health and Humanity Summit, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 29th August 2024 sparked a crucial dialogue on issues affecting women health, people on the move, and humanitarian space in the South Asian region.
The summit brought together 20 leading experts, thought leaders, academicians, and more than 200 attendees from the social impact arena. The gathering also called for concrete strategies to break the barriers in regional collaboration and pave the way for a more inclusive future for humanitarian efforts in South Asia.
Dr Farhat Mantoo, Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières(MSF) South Asia, opened the ceremony with a powerful address on ‘Power and Privilege – The Invisible Majority’. She said, “Today, we have come together to keep humanity alive. We are all human, and each of us has a role to play. True transformation goes beyond adaptation—it requires being a catalyst in civil society to drive change and bring prominence to issues that are invisible to many. By fostering dialogue and connecting local actors, we can alter the power imbalance and create a more effective humanitarian approach.”
The keynote speaker for the event was Dr Radhika Coomaraswamy. A global voice on human rights, she shared her insights on inclusivity and empowering women as agents of change in global humanitarian movements. “Women’s health measures are an essential indicator of the overall healthcare system of the country. They not only reflect access to healthcare services and highlight the likelihood of insufficient infrastructure but also provide important insights into a country’s status, including its social and political indicators”, said Dr Coomaraswamy.
The first session, ‘Through Her Eyes: Understanding Women’s Vulnerabilities in Migration’, was moderated’ by Dr Santhushya Fernando from the Faculty of Medicine at University of Colombo. It explored the critical issue of heightened vulnerability which is experienced by women and girls on the move. One of the panelists, Hafsar Tameesuddin, Co-Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network, stressed the “desperate need for practical solutions and frameworks that support women in escaping abusive situations and truly empower them.”
The second session, ‘Convergence for Change: Dynamics of Regional Solidarity’, delved into the complexities of regional solidarity and posed critical questions about whether the region truly operates as a cohesive bloc in addressing humanitarian crises. Heela Najibullah, a Peace and Conflict Researcher from Afghanistan, remarked, “As a woman from a country where half the population is silenced and erased from society, I feel a deep responsibility to speak out. My plea to governments and networks & organisations working on women’s issues is clear: it’s time to prioritize education and provide women with opportunities”.
The third session brought together a distinguished panel to address ‘Structural Inequity: Access to Medical Treatment’, moderated by Ghada Khemissi, Head of Programmes Unit, MSF South Asia. The panel shed light on the stark realities of global health disparities, particularly in areas ravaged by conflict, disasters, and systemic neglect. Dr Mohga Kamal-Yanni, Senior policy and technical advisor to UNAIDS and the People Vaccine Alliance shed light on structural barriers to access to healthcare. She said, “There’s no transparency in the true cost of these drugs. The real problem is that the system is built to prioritize profit over public health. It has been a long journey to shift this focus, but thanks to the MSF Access Campaign, we’re slowly but steadily making progress”.
The final session on ‘Reclaiming Spaces: Collective Action to Safeguard Civil Society’ was moderated by human rights activist Ruki Fernando. It discussed the crucial need for governments and global leaders to participate in expanding and safeguarding civic spaces actively. Panelist and Pakistani political commentator Marvi Sirmed highlighted civil society as both a “beacon of hope” and a “battleground”. She emphasized its crucial role in shaping democracy. The session concluded with a powerful reminder: “Reclaiming civic spaces is a collective responsibility, and it falls on each one of us.”
Beyond these discussions, a standout feature of the event was MSF’s Humanity Heals exhibition, an immersive experience blending art and installations that powerfully captured the stories, struggles, and resilience of vulnerable communities. Key exhibits included ‘Home in a Bag’, which starkly illustrated the harsh realities for women forced to flee their homes, focusing on the personal items they carry—symbols of their resilience and strength in crises. ‘Untangling’ used interactive threads to reveal how intersectional issues hinder regional solidarity, inviting viewers to explore the complex barriers to unity. ‘Shrinking Space’ featured 3D cutouts of news headlines, spotlighting the repression, censorship, and surveillance stifling civil society in South Asia and underscoring the urgent need to protect this space. ‘For All’ delved into the inequalitieqs in healthcare access, challenging visitors to envision solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges.
In the closing remarks, delivered by former MSF International President Dr Unni Krishnan Karunakara, the focus was on the future of humanitarian health. “Today, we face wicked problems—complex, ill-defined issues that resist straightforward solutions. There are no humanitarian solutions to humanitarian problems; what’s needed is political will. Peace comes when the bombs stop falling when attacks on healthcare facilities cease, and when everyone has access to vaccines and healthcare”, said Dr. Karunakara.
By bringing together diverse perspectives across humanitarian work, healthcare, and innovation, MSF is dedicated to fostering the spirit of collaboration in the region. The ultimate goal is to strengthen efforts and create a cohesive strategy to address the pressing needs facing our communities.
Speakers in order of appearance:
Panelists: Paula Gil (MSF Spain), Sergio Martín (MSF Asia), Hafsar Tameesuddin (Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network), Priyali Sur (The Azadi Project), Ambassador Shyam Saran (Former Indian Foreign Secretary), Heela Najibullah (Peace and Conflict Researcher, Afghanistan), Dr. Mohga Kamal-Yanni (UNAIDS, People Vaccine Alliance), Dr. Unni Krishnan Karunakara (Former MSF International President), Eldred Tellis (Sankalp Rehabilitation Trust), Marvi Sirmed (Political Commentator, Pakistan), Bhavani Fonseka (Centre for Policy Alternatives, Sri Lanka), Smriti Singh (Amnesty International)
Keynote speakers and moderators: Dr. Farhat Mantoo (MSF South Asia), Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy (Former UN Under-Secretary-General), Lina AbiRafeh (Women’s Rights Activist), Dr. Santhushya Fernando (University of Colombo), Dr Ravi Rannan Eliya (Institute of Health Policy, Sri Lanka), Ghada Khemissi (MSF South Asia), Ruki Fernando (Human rights activist)