Expanding healthcare together: Misereor

Global efforts have been successful in recent decades: the under-five mortality rate fell by 60 per cent between 1990 and 2020, while global life expectancy has risen from 51 to 71 years. Maternal mortality has also been reduced, but the results for many countries in the Global South fall short of the targets set for Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) "Good Health and Well-being".

In sub-Saharan Africa, targeted measures have saved lives. By carrying out HIV tests during pregnancy and providing antiretroviral treatment for HIV-positive pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, over 3.4 million HIV infections in children have been prevented since 2000. The broad access to treatment options has helped to prevent around 21 million AIDS-related deaths, resulting in fewer children becoming orphans.

Basic healthcare includes, in particular, reaching people in rural areas and in remote and underserved areas.

So wie hier bei einer Impfaktion für Dorfbewohner*innen in Äthiopien.

Many children and their families are treated at Attat Hospital. This helps them get off to a carefree start in life.

A healthy, adequate diet is particularly important for health, especially for pregnant women, mothers and children.

Access to clean drinking water is just as essential.

A well-trained and adequately staffed workforce is a fundamental prerequisite for high-quality healthcare.

Basic hospital facilities improve healthcare provision. Once a reliable diagnosis has been made, illnesses can be treated.

Die Misereor-Partnerorganisation CHAI zeigt, wie erfolgreich umgesetzte gemeindebasierte Gesundheitsdienste in abgelegenen Gebieten Indiens funktionieren.

CHAI arbeitet auch mit dem Einsatz von Telemedizin. Das ist besonders nützlich für die schwer erreichbaren Patient*innen und die das medizinische Personal, welches viel zu tun hat.

Many children and their families are treated at Attat Hospital. This facilitates a carefree path into life.

Genau so essentiell ist der Zugang zu sauberem Trinkwasser.

Well-trained and sufficient specialised staff is a basic prerequisite for high-quality healthcare.

The basic equipment of hospitals improves healthcare. If a reliable diagnosis can be made, diseases can be treated.

Caring for the very youngest patients is one of the hospital’s most important tasks. “I love my job. When mother and child are healthy, I’m happy.”

Here, families receive medical care and support in difficult situations.

The health centre provides people in the region with access to much-needed treatment.

Once they have received medical care, many families are able to return to their everyday lives feeling stronger.

Good care around the time of birth gives both mother and baby a healthy start in life. “We vaccinate 4,000 babies and children every year, protecting them from serious diseases such as hepatitis and polio.”

Modern diagnostic techniques enable rapid and targeted treatment.

Training and seeds help families to improve their diet in the long term.

Clean drinking water lays the foundations for a healthy upbringing.

For many people, Attat Hospital is the first port of call when they are ill or during pregnancy.

Access to clean drinking water brings about lasting improvements to health and quality of life.

Despite this progress, medical care remains unevenly distributed around the world. Healthcare is generally better in countries with higher incomes and economic stability. Reasons for this include the quality and equipment of medical care, people's nutritional status, access to clean drinking water, education, hygiene and health-promoting environmental conditions.

The world is facing a rising number of health challenges: disease outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics have increased in recent years. One of the reasons for this is the growing interaction between humans, animals and the environment. These are triggered by deforestation, climate change, wildlife trade and improper animal husbandry, which favour the spread of zoonoses. At the same time, there is a dramatic shortage of well-trained healthcare staff in many regions, which makes it difficult to provide adequate care.

Together with partner organisations in the Global South, Misereor is committed to improving healthcare, particularly for poor and disadvantaged population groups who are unable to benefit from either state programmes or private healthcare services.

One focus is on strengthening primary healthcare as the first and most important point of contact for local people. This includes health promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. The active involvement of the local population plays a key role in creating sustainable solutions that are accepted and supported by the community. Misereor promotes maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, prevention and treatment of communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or neglected tropical diseases such as leprosy. Promoting mental health, combating gender-based violence and providing healthcare for people with disabilities is also an essential part of our work. Last but not least, we support partner organisations to train health workers and to adequately equip health facilities.

The severe earthquake in Myanmar cost thousands of people their lives. Many more lost their home, their belongings or relatives. Through your gift, people in need will receive food, clothing and medical support.

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Ellen Schmitt

Health Desk Officer

Telephone: +49 241 442375
E-mail: ellen.schmitt@misereor.de

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"Health is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being (...)."

Constitution of the World Health Organization

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