Expanding healthcare together: Misereor

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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 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.

Despite this progress, medical care remains unevenly distributed around the world. Healthcare is generally better in countries with higher incomes and economic stability. The 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 increasing 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 central 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 in the training and further training of health personnel and in the adequate equipping of health facilities.

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 attainment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being (...)."

Constitution of the World Health Organisation

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The 194 member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) have set themselves the goal of…

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Publisher: Bread for the World, Global Policy Forum Europe and Misereor
Year of publication: February 2024
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Publisher: Bread for the World, Global Policy Forum Europe and Misereor
Year of publication: February 2024
8 pages

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Number of pages: 76

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Publisher: This qualitative study is the result of a participatory and collaborative effort by three German-based organisations: Bread for the World (Brot für die Welt), Caritas Germany and Misereor with their partner organisations (in alphabetical order): Daughters of Charity in Mekelle, Diocese of Adigrat, Ethiopian Catholic Secretariate, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus - Development and Social Service Commission (EECMY-DASSC), Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church - Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission (EOTC-DICAC), St Mary's College Wukro; with support from Tium Debessay (Don Bosco Salesians).
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Number of pages: 76

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Publisher: Bündnis Entwicklung hilft
Year of publication: September 2024
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