Who we are
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Medical aid here and now
Our healthcare projects are primarily focused on saving lives and alleviating the suffering of those in need. Armed conflicts and unstable political situations have a devastating impact on ordinary people. Direct violence, forced displacement, epidemics, famines and psychological trauma are common consequences, often linked to inadequate local health services.
Providing medical aid to victims of conflicts and crises is a top priority for MAGNA workers. The suffering associated with infectious diseases, which are neglected by local structures, is another of MAGNA’s main areas of programmatic focus.
The organization aims to provide adequate treatment and care to people affected by diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cholera, malaria and others. MAGNA also responds to the needs of people who are excluded from access to basic health care and helps victims of natural disasters.
We follow these principles in our work
We are independent
Our decision to provide assistance is based on our assessment and needs, independent of political, economic or religious interests.
We try to freely assess needs, approach the population without restrictions and directly provide assistance. We base our activity on the need for free access to victims and full independence in our projects. We distribute our resources directly to ensure that they reach the majority of target groups of the population.
We are impartial
We treat and provide assistance to people as needed.
It does not matter what country they are from, what religion they profess or what their political affiliation is.
We do not accept any form of discrimination based on race, gender, ethnic origin, religion, nationality, belief or social class.
We prioritize those who are in the most serious and immediate danger.
We are transparent
MAGNA is committed to full and transparent access to its beneficiaries, partners and financial donors by providing access to information on the allocation and management of funds.
The organization undertakes to provide all the necessary tools to ensure proper management of its activities.
Conceptualization, implementation, management and evaluation of MAGNA programs always take place at a high level of professionalism. We use our experience to maximize efficiency and resources.
We bring testimonies
We document testimonies from the forgotten parts of the world in which we find ourselves and bring them to the public.
If we witness extreme violence against individuals or groups – we speak about it publicly. Our decision to do so is always guided only by our mission – to alleviate suffering, protect life and respect basic human rights.
Our decision to provide assistance is based on our assessment and needs, independent of political, economic or religious interests.
We try to freely assess needs, approach the population without restrictions and directly provide assistance. We base our activity on the need for free access to victims and full independence in our projects. We distribute our resources directly to ensure that they reach the majority of target groups of the population.
First mission
AIDS in Cambodia – In 2002, thousands of people fell victim to the AIDS pandemic that hit the country and caused a huge loss of life. Parents who succumbed to the disease – it is reported that up to 250,000 people died of AIDS-related diseases during this period – were left with orphans, many of whom were infected at birth and died on the streets without any medical help. There was no medical aid in the country, international organizations such as Doctors Without Borders or Doctors of the World gradually started treating adults, while others just watched. The dysfunctional health system and the extreme poverty of the families from which the children came did not allow them to take care of them. Infected children, so-called “second wave”, there was no one to provide the necessary treatment and care.
Martin Bandžák and Denisa Augustínová became eyewitnesses of this tragedy. Pragmatically and with great commitment, they began to solve the situation and opened a facility for the treatment of infected children in the capital, Phnom Penh. They provided them with antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, which saved many lives. They called teams of medical professionals from Slovakia to the country, trained local doctors and involved them in the work. In a few months, MAGNA started treating its first patient and became one of the first organizations to start treating HIV/AIDS children.