Médecins Sans Frontières awarded the 2022 Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics Prize

The 2022 Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics was awarded to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The prize recognises MSF “for working tirelessly to save lives and alleviate suffering where it is needed most, and raising public awareness of abuses and deplorable conditions, all on a solid ethical foundation.”

Chair of the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics Sven-Eric Söder emphasises that MSF demonstrates through its daily work that medical ethics are universal and don’t stop at national borders.

“The organisation doesn’t distinguish between people in need, and is impartial and independent of political, economic or religious interests. It always puts the patient first and works where the needs are greatest. It also contributes to stimulating ethical reflection among the population at large on issues of human dignity, humanity and solidarity,” says Mr Söder.

“We are delighted and honoured to receive this prize,” says Peter Moberger, President of MSF Sweden.

“Since our inception, our ambition has been to reach people in areas out of the spotlight. This has been even more important during the pandemic, when other diseases and health problems have been pushed into the background and vital care has been put on hold,” says Mr Moberger.

MSF is a medical humanitarian organisation founded in 1971 in Paris by a group of doctors and journalists. It currently works in more than 70 countries around the world, often in locations that rarely receive international attention. MSF workers frequently meet people who have survived violence, abuse and neglect. While its operations are primarily medical, it also provides other essential items, supplies and clean water in acute humanitarian crises. In addition, MSF sees it as its task to speak out about abuse and wrongdoings they witness, and to be a catalyst for change.
The Ethics Prize will be presented on 8 December in conjunction with the 2022 Ethics Day held by the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics.

Ethics Prize

The Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics established the Ethics Prize in 2015. It is awarded annually to a person or group who has made an outstanding contribution to highlighting medical ethical issues in Sweden. The winner receives a diploma and gets to choose the theme of a seminar organised in collaboration with the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics. The theme should be related to medical ethics and the Council’s work.
 

Contact

Carolina Östgren,
Research officer, Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics
Tel: 08-405 23 60
E-mail: carolina.ostgren@regeringskansliet.se