What does decades of work in humanitarian medicine look like?

In this episode of Behind the Frame, Dr Javid Abdelmoneim, International president of Doctors Without Borders, looks back at powerful moments from decades working on the frontlines of global health and humanitarian crises.

Using personal photographs as a starting point, Javid reflects on what it means to deliver medical care in some of the world’s most difficult contexts, from disease outbreaks to active war zones. Through these images, he shares the human stories behind the headlines and the realities faced by patients and medical teams.

In this conversation, Javid speaks about:

0:00 Intro
0:28 South Sudan: Delivering healthcare by helicopter to remote villages across South Sudan

3:52 Responding to the 2014 West Africa outbreak of Ebola, and the challenges of working in extreme protective equipment during one of the deadliest epidemics in modern history.

6:57 Delivering underground mobile clinics during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, treating patients sheltering in metro stations in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

11:21 Working at Nasser Hospital amid the destruction of healthcare infrastructure in Gaza.

16:02 Supporting hospitals in Omdurman, Sudan, during an ongoing conflict where health facilities struggle to function under immense pressure.

From neglected diseases and global health inequities to attacks on medical facilities and the resilience of communities under siege, this film offers a rare personal perspective on humanitarian work around the world.