A healthier population is a central development goal for many countries, and a precondition for all other human and economic development. The impact of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa demonstrates how health problems can affect all sectors of society and reduce chances for economic development. Other examples are the upsurge of tuberculosis during the last decade and the persistent scourges of malaria, diseases caused by unsafe water supply and sanitation, and poor mother and child health. At the same time, developing countries increasingly face the same health problems as the developed world, including life-style related and degenerative diseases.

These multiple challenges require both targeted programmes and the long-term development of health care services and systems. Concerning HIV, promotion of condom use, access to voluntary counselling and testing, behaviour change communication, blood product safety and improved management of sexually transmitted infections can help curb the spread of the epidemic. For several years, GITEC has been setting up programmes in all these fields. GITEC is also active in the global fight against tuberculosis, with programmes implementing the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course) strategy and aiming at overcoming the current spread of multiple-drug-resistant tuberculosis. Other projects and programmes focus on mother and child health, and on health education related to water and sanitation.

In the area of health sector development, GITEC is improving diagnostic and therapeutic medical services through support to the planning and management of health facilities, provision of equipment, essential drugs and consumables, and through training of medical personnel. Activities to enhance health systems span from health sector reform and decentralization to the development of health financing and health information systems.

Health System Development

¨ Health Policy Development

¨ Health Sector Reform and Sector Wide Approach

¨ Health Financing

¨ Health Information Systems

Prevention and Health Promotion

¨ Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP)

¨ Community Participation and Health Education (CPHE)

¨ Information, Education & Communication (IEC)

¨ Behaviour Change Communication (BCC)

¨ Environmental Hygiene and Sanitation

¨ Maternal and Child Health

Health Services

¨ Planning of Health Facilities

¨ Procurement of Medical Equipment and Essential Drugs

¨ Human Resources for Health

¨ Hospital Management

¨ Management Information Systems

Reproductive Health

¨ Family Planning Services

¨ Safe Motherhood Programmes

¨ Prevention and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Disease Control Programmes

¨ Support to National Tuberculosis Programmes

¨ Malaria Control Programmes

¨ Integrated Management of Childhood Illness

¨ Infectious Disease Surveillance Systems

¨ Support to National HIV/AIDS Programmes

¨ Social Marketing

¨ Antiretroviral Treatment