Since 1980, MSF has opened offices in 28 countries. Today, MSF employs more than 30,000 people across the world. Since its founding, MSF has treated over a hundred million patients – with 8.3 million outpatient consultations being carried out in 2012 alone.
MSF remains fiercely independent of both governments and institutions. MSF also reserves the right to speak out to bring attention to neglected crises, challenge inadequacies or abuse of the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and protocols.
MSF rejects the idea that poor countries deserve third-rate medical services and strives to provide high-quality care to patients. Simultaneously, and with equal vigor, MSF continuously seeks to improve the organisation's own practices.
Over the years, MSF has received many prestigious awards in recognition of its medical humanitarian work. In 1999, MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize.