Children under five and women living in remote regions benefit from better access to medical treatment thanks to Switzerland's efforts in the realm of family medicine. © SDC
Strengthening health systems – Health coverage for all
Good governance and the efficient management of resources are key factors in a well-functioning health sector. The SDC promotes the strengthening of health care systems in developing and transition countries. Switzerland strives to promote universal health coverage through its activities both to establish social protection mechanisms and to advocate for access to quality health care for the most vulnerable.
SDC focus
Financing health
The SDC's support for health sector reforms in its partner countries is based on a thorough analysis of the prevailing political, economic and social contexts. Its aim: to guarantee access to quality health services for the poorest.
A combination of research and action enables the SDC to encourage the development of innovative financing and payment mechanisms for health services. Its interventions are always aligned with national policies and priorities, and implemented in direct cooperation with its governmental, non-governmental and private partners in the health sector. This approach seeks to develop a form of social protection capable of preventing the most vulnerable members of society from plunging into poverty as a result of their expenditure on health-related problems. SDC projects focus on the public sector and providing support to public-private partnerships.
Governance and participation
The SDC promotes efforts to establish better governance in the health sector and supports both governmental and non-governmental actors in this objective as they strive to develop a culture of accountability, wage war on corruption and achieve transparency in the allocation and utilisation of resources.
At the community level, the SDC supports health promotion initiatives which involve marginalised and disadvantaged population groups. All users are encouraged to participate in the management and follow-up of health services as this helps reduce access barriers to care and leads to better health outcomes. This process of social empowerment enables users to know and assert their rights, and allows health care professionals to better respond to the needs of the population by offering quality care.
Determinants of health
The health of individuals and communities depends on a multitude of economic, social, cultural and environmental factors. SDC projects give priority to cooperation and coordination between different sectors (water, agriculture, education, etc.) in order to influence the various factors that constitute "determinants of health". Its activities also aim to encourage behavioural change and ensure that the poorest of the poor can exercise their right to health.
The SDC cooperates with other federal departments and offices such as the Human Security Division (HSD) and the FDFA's Sectoral Foreign Policies Division, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
Context
Faced with growing populations in the low-income countries and the ageing of the global population, establishing efficient and equitable health systems is a priority. However, health care systems in a large number of countries suffer from a lack of investment and poor management of the available resources, with services relying too heavily on external funding. As a result, infrastructure, technologies and equipment are lacking, and there is an acute shortage of qualified health workers. Furthermore, the absence of social protection mechanisms forces patients to cover a large part of the costs themselves, thereby exacerbating the inequalities in access to care. At the end of the day, the economic consequences of a poor health care system are hindering development in the countries concerned.
In its position on health for the post-2015 agenda, Switzerland aspires to maximise health for all in all life stages. The long-term objective is to achieve universal health coverage and take coordinated action on the social, economic, cultural and environmental determinants of health. After all, the conditions in which people are born, raised and work have an impact on their state of health. Adopting an approach to health that involves other sectors such as water, sanitation, education and food security is therefore absolutely essential to overcoming inequalities.
Links
Documents
Current projects
Schools for Health (Shkollat për Shëndetin)
01.05.2025
- 31.12.2027
Nearly one third of the population in Albania is smoking, overweight or suffers from high blood pressure. Adopting healthy behaviours is crucial to combat non-communicable diseases. In the exit phase, the Ministries of Health and of Education will strengthen coordination mechanisms for health promotion in schools. Schools’ staff and healthcare professionals will implement jointly local action plans. Children, parents and communities will increasingly adopt healthy behaviours.
Programme d’Appui aux Organisations et Populations Pastorales (PAO2P3)
01.05.2025
- 30.04.2029
La Suisse soutient les populations pastorales afin qu’elles accèdent à des formations de qualité et à des opportunités d’emplois. Ces populations sont marginalisées par les politiques nationales et ré-gionales. Le programme PAO2P-3 vise la formation et l’emploi des jeunes (agro)pasteur-e-s dans les zones transfrontalières entre le Burkina Faso, le Bénin, le Mali, le Niger et le Togo. Il renforce leur résilience économique et contribue à réduire leur marginalisation et les conflits.
Fostering the economic resilience for small-scale female farmers in Samegrelo and Abkhazia through Farmer Field Schools
01.04.2025
- 31.03.2029
Switzerland is committed to support conflict transformation in Georgia including in the break-away region of Abkhazia. Working on socio-economic issues affecting small-scale female farmers in Abkhazia and the neighbouring region of Samegrelo, the proposed project will enhance their agricultural and business skills, focusing on dairy, fruit, and vegetable production, processing and marketing. This should lead to increased incomes and reduced poverty rates.
NRC : Education en situation d’urgence
01.04.2025
- 31.03.2029
Le Mali traverse une crise complexe et prolongée privant près de 600’000 enfants de protection et de leur droit fondamental à l’éducation. Déscolarisés, ils sont exposés à des risques accrus. Ce projet offre à plus de 24’000 enfants vulnérables des régions de Bandiagara, Douentza, Mopti et Tombouctou une opportunité éducative adaptée dans un environnement sûr et protecteur. Le renforcement des capacités éducatives et de gouvernance bénéficie à plusieurs milliers d’autres.
Core Support to Ifakara Innovation Hub
01.04.2025
- 31.12.2028
Despite Tanzania's recognition of job creation, research and innovation as national priorities, skills and funding remain limited due to competing demands for public resources and infrastructure challenges. This contribution aims to provide catalytic financial resources to strengthen the Ifakara Innovation Hub (IIH), a nascent rural collaborative space to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and community-driven solutions.
Protection and emergency care for vulnerable and unaccompanied minors
01.04.2025
- 31.07.2026
The number of migrants transiting through Bosnia and Herzegovina remains high with more than 25% of them being unaccompanied minors in need of essential care and special protection due to their vulnerabilities. As the state system is not yet able to fully address their needs, assistance from external actors remains crucial to provide adequate support to this vulnerable group of migrants and to safeguard their rights.
Reducing risk-factors for Non-Communicable Diseases in Ukraine (Act for Health), phase 2
01.03.2025
- 28.02.2029
Non-communicable diseases represent the most significant health problem in Ukraine and the situation worsened as a result of Russia’s military aggression. This disease burden threatens the country’s resilience, development, its human capital, and the capacity of its healthcare system. The Act for Health project is a flagship Swiss engagement that addresses the chronic disease burden through tailored and innovative approaches at all government levels, thereby supporting Ukraine’s recovery and reform path.
SER Culture for Democracy
01.03.2025
- 31.12.2028
Independent culture & arts are strong drivers for improved social cohesion, tolerance and democratic practice at the local level. Building on this potential CfD will support quality cultural and artistic initiatives, mainly outside of urban centers. Strengthening the resilience and strategic focus of independent cultural actors will open up more spaces for critical thinking and reflection and ultimately contribute to stronger foundations for social cohesion, tolerance and democracy in Serbia.
Smart Packaging Waste Management
01.03.2025
- 28.02.2029
Improper waste management is widespread in North Macedonia and a pressing environmental issue threatening public health and environment. To address it Switzerland engages with Pakomak to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of its packaging waste recovery system1 through digitalization and modernization of packaging waste selection2, collection, sorting, transportation and recycling. These efforts will significantly decrease the amount of waste disposed in landfills and contribute to the Green Agenda.
Contribution à l’appel éclair de UNHAS Haiti 2025
28.02.2025
- 31.12.2025
Haiti fait face à une crise prolongée. L’accès des acteurs humanitaires aux territoires se rétrécit. Depuis novembre 2024, les vols commerciaux desservant Port-au-Prince sont arrêtés jusqu’à nouvel ordre. Les populations en besoin d’assistance augmentent. L’appui du bureau humanitaire facilitera des ponts aériens pour un accès vital aux populations affectées, le déploiement du personnel, le transport de biens vitaux et des évacuations médicales.
Kyrgyz Republic: Water Supply and Sanitation Universal Access Program (WASUAP)
20.02.2025
- 31.12.2029
The project will enhance the universal and sustainable access to water and sanitation in the Kyrgyz Republic by establishing a new sector of professional water service providers in the rural area and by building their capacities. This institutional reform will be accompanied by investments in the construction and upgrade of water supply systems and sanitation infrastructure in unserved and underserved settlements.
JIGITUGU+: Appui au renforcementd es competences des jeunes femmes et hommes ruraux dans le secteur agricole
01.02.2025
- 31.12.2028
A travers ce projet intégré, la Suisse veut contribuer à relever les défis des zones rurales du Mali en mobilisant les ressources locales. Il vise à renforcer la résilience, promouvoir l’éducation et l’emploi des jeunes et des femmes, et améliorer la sécurité alimentaire. En intégrant ces publics dans des systèmes éducatifs, professionnels et agricoles adaptés, le projet aspire à un impact durable, notamment par l’augmentation des revenus, la promotion de pratiques agroécologiques et le renforcement des institutions locales.