MSF Scientific Days – Asia 2026 has evolved into a key regional platform for showcasing research, innovation, and field-based experiences across humanitarian and public health settings. The event brings together researchers, frontline responders, academics, policymakers, and community partners to advance evidence-based improvements in care for populations affected by crises and health inequities.
Building on the success of previous editions, the 2026 conference will be hosted in Singapore for the first time, reflecting MSF’s commitment to strengthening regional collaboration, operational learning, and locally grounded research.
The event is co-organised by MSF South Asia and MSF Hong Kong & Family, in collaboration with MSF Access Asia Pacific and MSF Korea, with the National University of Singapore (NUS) Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health serving as the academic partner. NUS SSHSPH is a leading institution in Asia for research, education, and policy engagement in global and population health.
November 14, 2026 (Saturday)
08:30 am – 09:00 am | Registration
09:00 am – 09:25 am | Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks by Olivier Franchi, Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Hong Kong and Family
Welcome & Opening Remarks by Parthesarathy Rajendran, Executive Director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) South Asia
Opening Remarks by Dr. Alex Cook, Professor and Vice Dean of Global Health at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health
09:25 am – 09:45 am | Keynote Address
Anthea Ong, Former Nominated Member of Parliament, Board Chair and Advisor, Systems change and well-being leader.
09:45 am – 10:15 am |Tea Break
10:15 am – 11:00 am| Session 1
Care in Crisis – Advancing Quality Healthcare in Conflict and Disaster
Oral Presentations
Strategic Foresight as a Methodology and Mindset to Inform MSF Operations in a world of Converging Crises and Radical Uncertainty Dr Aina Roca-Barceló (MSF Humanitarian Action for Climate and the Environment) Traumatic injuries and surgical interventions at the MSF Gaza Surgical Field Hospital from Aug 2024-Dec 2025: a retrospective analysis Dr Amrish Baidjoe (Director, MSF Luxembourg Operational Research and Epidemiology (LuxOR), MSF) Utilization of decentralized model of care for non-communicable diseases in conflict-affected settings: Outcomes from an observational cohort study in Syria Scott Pharand (Epidemiologist – MSF OCP) Delivering Mental Healthcare under Occupation: A Retrospective Analysis of MSF’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services in Hebron, Palestine (2018-2025) Aidan Yuen (Epidemiology Activity Manager for Syria Mission – MSF Spain) & Brenda Galaz (Mental Health Coordinator, MSF France) Palliative Care in Humanitarian Action: Towards an MSF Movement-Wide Commitment Dr Joseph Ang (MSF Hong Kong Regional Association)
Moderated by Jessa Pontevedra, Regional Director of Programmes, MSF Hong Kong and Family |
11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Session 2
Beyond Displacement : Advancing Health, Rights and Dignity with Rohingya Communities
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12:00 pm – 01:30 pm | Lunch Break
01:30 pm – 02:10 pm |Session 3
Protecting Dignity and Choice: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Humanitarian Crisis
Oral PresentationsBridging gaps in awareness, access and uptake: evaluating HPV self-sampling and cervical cancer care pathways in marginalised populations of Cambodia Dr Mousumi Rahman (Malaria Consortium) When Violence Never Ends: How Displacement, Statelessness, and Gender Inequality Shape Rohingya Women’s Lives in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh Dr Farah Hossain (MSF OCP) & Robin Ehret (MSF France) Beyond Monitoring: A Quality Improvement and Accountability System for SRH in the Rohingya Response Dr A. A. Shafaatullah (UNFPA Bangladesh) Breaking the Silence: A Community-Led Model for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Deaf Women China Linqian Peng (Chongqing Liangjiang New Area KnowDeaf Social Work Service Center, China)
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2:10 pm – 2:50 pm | Session 4
Access to Care: Breaking Barriers to Essential Healthcare
Oral Presentations
Paediatric Tuberculosis within an Integrated Care Setting: Retrospective Analysis of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Cases at Mazar Regional Hospital, Afghanistan
Dr Ahmad Reza Yosofi (MSF OCBA)
From Screening to Trust: Community-Based Nutrition Engagement Among Birhor Children in a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Settlement in Jharkhand, India Dr Debashis Bhattacharya (Raj Kumar Foundation, India) Eligibility and Uptake of BPaL/BPaLM among patients with drug-resistant TB in Punjab, Pakistan Dr Hafsa Fatima (MSF OCP) Balancing Humanitarian Assistance and Health Security: Stakeholder Perspectives on Border Health Policy along the Thailand–Myanmar Border Dr Nyein Chan Oo (National Health Foundation)
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02:50 pm – 03:00 pm | Closing Remarks
Jessa Pontevedra, Regional Director Programs, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) , Hong Kong and Family Ghada Khemissi, Director Programs, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) South Asia 03:00 pm – 04:00 pm | Tea BreakNetworking + Tea + Poster, Innovations & Exhibition viewing |
Disclaimer: The agenda is subject to change.