I recently did a deep dive on MSF, and since Sepideh Moafi gave an interview saying that Dr. Al-Hashimi worked for them, I had a couple thoughts. The key quote: “one thing we learn is that she spent years working as a frontline medic with Doctors Without Borders. As a humanitarian doctor, she has served in countries that have been turned into conflict zones”
For those who don’t know, the name of the organization is Médecins Sans Frontières or MSF. Using the English name is shunned by virtually everyone in the organization. Even the US website with that name always includes Médecins Sans Frontières right after it and always uses the MSF abbreviation. Basically, anyone who works for them would be calling it MSF. No offense to the actor, who is likely just relaying producers’ talking points, but I hope the actual show gets this right.
Here’s the important thing: MSF doctors aren’t subject to malpractice suits. They’re working in the most austere, resource-limited places in the world. Malpractice is not a thing, which some doctors have described as a relief. Given that Al-Hashimi worked for MSF for years, and the VA for years (where she was also not subject to malpractice suits), it all makes her statement, “I’ve never been named in a lawsuit,” even more shitty. How hard would it be to say, “I spent so many years working for MSF and the VA, where I couldn’t be sued, but I know many colleagues who have been and [reassuring thing here].”
I don’t get this character choice. Was she actively trying to be cruel to Mel? Trying to get one up on Robby? The reality is that she’s been insulated from malpractice suits for many years; her experience is entirely different from theirs. So why make Mel feel bad?
Anyway, for more about MSF, I recommend Hope in Hell: Inside the World of Doctors Without Borders by Dan Bortolotti, a hilarious title given that the book talks about how no one calls it that.
