The future aim of universal health coverage (UHC) is that all people will be able to access adequate, affordable and effective health care services. That is why our health projects have the dual objective of providing medical care for people in need, and sustainably supporting and strengthening local public healthcare systems (HSS).
We especially work to improve the provision of health care in poor and fragile regions by providing both preventive and curative care, as well as health promotion, and the rehabilitation of health infrastructure. We use a variety of methods to achieve our objectives: for example, by providing management, financial and technical support to local health facilities, or training and supervision for local personnel, to enable them to detect and treat diseases.
We work according to the Primary Health Care concept, which understands health as a combination of physical, mental and social-emotional wellbeing. This model also recognizes that the health status of a population is heavily dependent on underlying conditions like a good supply of nutritious food, access to clean drinking water, and sanitation – among other things. That is why the comprehensive Primary Health Care approach taken by our programs seeks to integrate measures designed to improve these conditions wherever possible.
Particular focuses of our health projects include fighting and preventing malaria, tuberculosis and HIV. We offer patients in Africa, Asia and the Americas examination, diagnosis and treatment services for these diseases, as well as advice and support to their loved ones for helping with care, and preventing the spread of infection.
In acute crises, international, regional and local teams of Malteser International health experts and physicians from the Order of Malta's global network provide emergency medical care on the ground. We are currently in the process of scaling up our emergency response capacity to be better prepared for future epidemics.
Acute crises such as war and natural disasters are extremely traumatic situations. People who live through such events often suffer psychological consequences from their experiences. Our commitment to health is not confined to healing the bodies of people affected by disasters, and our projects offer a variety of psychosocial care and support measures to help them find their way back to a normal existence.
As the only aid organization in the World Health Organization's network of international aid organizations to be based in Germany, Malteser International supports the Global Health Cluster through a special partnership. It provides two health experts that are able to undertake coordination in crisis areas: gathering and analyzing data to help to plan, implement, and assess medical aid measures better. According to the WHO, 65 million people are affected by war, disaster and displacement in the 24 countries where organizations belonging to the Health Cluster are active. The international community and all actors in the field of health need to react better and faster to the rising level of need. More information on our cooperation with the health cluster is available in the flyer you can download here.
Global Health Cluster partners' statement at the World Humanitarian Summit: Special Session on Global Health
Malteser International Newsletter: Project - health in humanitarian emergencies
Tackling climate change and its causes is a challenge that needs a sensitive, coordinated, and holistic approach, but the benefits of doing so will reach far beyond merely averting ecological disaster. However extensive work is also needed to help communities to adapt and prepare for its effects.
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