10.11.2009 - Article
What are “advanced diseases” doing in the most disadvantaged countries?

Address of SDC General-Director Martin Dahinden at the 8th Swiss Health Cooperation Symposium organized by Medicus Mundi Switzerland, Basel, Tuesday,

As life expectancy continues to grow, so do the risks of falling ill to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardio-vascular disorders. These diseases are also beginning to put increasing pressure on the national healthcare systems of developing and threshold countries which, to date, have been primarily concerned with fighting the diseases of the poor such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. By contributing to the strengthening of national health systems and by supporting multilateral organizations like the WHO, the SDC is endeavouring to tackle these new challenges.