Libreville, Gabon

"HERE you're in the heart of precarious living," said one of Gabon's first medical responders in Kolo Ngoum, a grubby shanty suburb of Libreville that has seen no doctors in ages.

Residents initially expressed surprise at the arrival of an ambulance belonging to the SAMU-Social (Service for Urgent Medical Aid), but once they see stethoscopes and other common instruments, they smiled with reassurance. "This is a good initiative," said Natanael, in his 30s and sporting dreadlocks. "We thought all this was reserved for other people."