Awa a 19 ans et elle est enceinte. Elle vit dans un pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest où elle risque à tout moment de contracter la malaria. Cette maladie tropicale peut être mortelle. Les principales personnes touchées sont les habitants des pays pauvres. Il existe certes des traitements efficaces et sûrs contre la malaria mais ils ne sont pas adaptés aux femmes enceintes. Awa peut utiliser des moustiquaires ou une médication préventive à titre de protection. Mais, certains agents pathogènes du paludisme gagnant en résistance, la thérapie préventive n’est plus efficace dans certaines zones. Les chercheurs doivent donc mettre au point de nouveaux produits. Les clients potentiels ayant cependant peu de moyens, l’industrie pharmaceutique est peu incitée à investir. Et c’est précisément là que la Direction du développement et de la coopération de la Confédération (DDC) a un rôle à jouer.
Forte de nombreuses années d’expérience, elle soutient de nouveaux partenariats entre des entreprises pharmaceutiques, des instituts de recherche publics et d’autres intervenants. Ces acteurs ont déjà développé une série de produits à coût abordable contre des maladies telles que la malaria, la tuberculose ou la maladie du sommeil. Quel est le résultat ? Les populations pauvres peuvent accéder aux médicaments dont elles ont besoin. Pour qu’Awa puisse bénéficier de ces produits, il faut qu’ils aient été autorisés dans son pays. La DDC s’engage en faveur de procédures d’homologation accélérées dans les pays partenaires sans compromettre la qualité. Elle soutient également des modèles de caisses-maladie accessibles à tous financièrement. Le droit à la santé reconnu par la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'homme n’est pas garanti pour plus d’un milliard d’êtres humains. Les disparités qui règnent aujourd’hui dans le domaine de la santé constituent une atteinte aux droits de l’homme. Mais pour qu’Awa et son enfant soient en bonne santé et puissent le rester, il faut plus encore. Il leur faut une eau salubre, un air et des sols sains, une alimentation équilibrée et une activité physique suffisante.
DDC – La Suisse s’engage
L’action de la DDC dans le domaine de la santé porte sur trois thèmes: le renforcement des systèmes de santé, la lutte contre les maladies transmissibles et non transmissibles et l’amélioration de la santé sexuelle, reproductive, maternelle, néonatale et infantile. La DDC intervient dans des pays à faible et moyen revenus, dans des contextes stables ou fragiles, ainsi que dans des économies en transition.
Assurer la qualité des infrastructures, des équipements, des médicaments et des technologies médicales; promouvoir l’accès aux soins, le financement de la santé, la gouvernance et la gestion du secteur; assurer la formation et le suivi des professionnels de santé.
Améliorer la santé des mères, des nouveaux nés et des enfants; promouvoir la santé sexuelle et reproductive ainsi que les droits de l’homme relatifs à ces domaines.
Mise en place de stratégies de promotion de la santé, de prévention et de diagnostic et traitement des maladies non transmissibles; soutenir la prévention, le traitement, la recherche de nouveaux médicaments et d’outils diagnostics contre les maladies tropicales négligées, le paludisme, la tuberculose, le sida, les diarrhées et les infections respiratoires aiguës.
Switzerland supports Moldova’s efforts to achieve better health of the population, through ensuring universal access to affordable medical services of good quality. In its 2nd (exit) phase, the project will accompany the health authorities in advancing health financing and service delivery reforms, improving the efficiency and responsiveness of the healthcare system, promoting transparency and accountability in the health sector, and empowering service users and civil society organizations to oversee healthcare services, their quality and resource allocation.
The Mental Health for Ukraine project is a flagship Swiss engagement which strengthens the capacity and resilience of the mental health system in a context of growing demand and resource scarcity. Switzerland renews its multi-year commitment and pursues a tailored approach addressing acute mental health needs as a consequence of the conflict. The project contributes to the overall resilience of the Ukrainian people, aligns with government priorities and supports Ukraine’s reform path.
With 62% of its population below 25 years, the Safeguard Young People (SYP) programme supports Tanzania’s demographic dividend. The project advances young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through a gender-responsive and inclusive policy environment, empowered youth who make informed decisions, and responsive health and education systems. SYP builds on 10 years of regional experience and UNFPA’s expertise.
Medicus Mundi Switzerland is a Network of 49 Swiss non-governmental organisations, foundations and scientific institutions involved in health advocacy at global level and health programmes in lowand middle-income countries. Taking a multisectoral approach and fostering open dialogue with relevant actors, decision-makers and the broader public, the Network facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experience and contributes to finding solutions to global health challenges.
With increased cases and death globally (2019, 2020, 2021) and being off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals 3.3, malaria is a major global health threat, impacting mainly children under 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa. This burden is exacerbated by new challenges such as increasing resistance to malarial drugs or climate change. The project aims to shape effective global and national malaria capacities and elimination strategies, by providing the necessary scientific evidence and strengthening capacities of malaria-affected countries.
The Swiss Malaria Group (SMG) is a Swiss-based public, private academic and civil society leadership network that works towards a malaria-free world. SMG member organisations coordinate their efforts to engage technical expertise, opinion-makers and the general public to provide Swiss leadership against malaria, strengthen research and innovation by Swiss actors, and fight malaria in low- and middle-income countries.
Switzerland’s contribution to Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) for the implementation of the Productive Social Safety Net Program (PSSN) contributes to the protection of 1.5 milion poor households in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar through cash transfers, public works and livelihoods enhancement. Also evidence generated through this support will inform and reinforce Swiss engagement in national policy dialogue on social protection, beyond PSSN.
It is a humanitarian aid initiative with strong signs of regional solidarity and friendship between the countries. Heart examinations of children with heart defects in mainly North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Mongolia will be carried out. If necessary, children will undergo open heart surgery in Mongolia. The capacity building of cardiologists and local medical professionals is an integral part.
Despite a moderate recovery in some economic indicators during 2022, the Venezuelan economy continues to contract during 2023. Meanwhile, there is no improvement in the structural causes of the humanitarian crisis. As a result, the needs of the most vulnerable are still high. Therefore, Caritas aims to facilitate access on health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods, for vulnerable families in eight states according to the Guidance Note for Venezuela 2022-2024.
The recent Rwanda Demographic Health Survey showed only a slight decline of stunting from 38% to 33%, not fulfilling the target of achieving 19% by 2024. As a result, a special national-wide programme "Accelerating Rwanda's Nutrition Outcome" is needed to get closer to the set targets. In parallel, the process of developing the new Strategic Plan for Agriculture (PSTA-5) and the new National Transformation Strategy (NST-2) offers us a unique opportunity to influence their development by a world leading organisation.
Ukrainian population faces major health needs due to the war and the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. A total collapse of the healthcare systems could be avoided thanks to the commitment of the Ministry of Health and the flexible long-term support to sectoral reforms of donors such as SDC. The Medical Education project aims to further strengthen the resilience of the medical education system in a context of acute scarcity and unprecedented migration of health professionals.
HI provides comprehensive and tailored services to address the specific needs of individuals affected by the conflict and crisis in Yemen, with a view of enhancing independence, mental well-being, and preventing long-term disability. Special attention is given to vulnerable groups, including those with injuries and disabilities, women, children, internally displaced populations, and caregivers.