Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is using a new technique of building health facilities based on a 90m² module which can be connected to other modular sections to create any medical structure MSF needs in the field today. To ensure building these structures goes smoothly, MSF created a 360 time-lapse video showing the assembly of the module for field staff to improve their understanding of the new structure and train them on its deployment. Elvina Motard, MSF Technical Referent for Health Facility Management, describes the project as “an innovation that is necessary, because the future of humanitarian hospitals is modularity, fast deployment and quality ion the long run!”


Why is this important for MSF and its beneficiaries?

Over the years, MSF has faced an increase in complexity and number of operations. To ensure the highest quality care, MSF continues to considers factors like infection control, space management, comfort of the patient and needs of the medical staff. The lifespans of projects tend to be longer even if there is a limited timeframe to create new facilities. On top of that, building these structures is a real challenge in most areas where MSF intervenes, especially in some contexts where construction materials are not available.

A prefabricated solution that can be deployed in any context, with a long lifespan and that provides health structures with high quality standards is therefore key for our beneficiaries.

1 module = 90m² = 1 week and 8 people to assemble = 30 years lifespan


Already in the field

The first pilot of the module deployment was tested in Brussels at the Espace Bruno Corbé, MSF’s training and innovation centre. The first field project is already on going in Doro, South Sudan, where MSF will provide a 50-bed maternity ward with an obstetric service and neonatal intensive care unit. Accounting for a total of 1000m2. Following this deployment, the same modular structure will be built in Haiti for an outpatient department and in Mauritania for a surgical unit.