Control of Major Communicable Diseases

In fighting communicable diseases, SDC gives priority to prevention while promoting a continuum of prevention to care.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation concentrates its support on the control of:

• HIV/AIDS
• Malaria
• Tuberculosis
• epidemics in complex emergencies and disaster situations

Switzerland has an internationally recognised history in supporting research and implementation of pilot approaches in controlling communicable diseases. In support of those efforts, SDC addresses specifically the fight against malaria and the global tuberculosis epidemic at all levels of health systems. In response to the growing dimension of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, SDC addresses HIV/AIDS as a transversal topic. Measures to reduce HIV and AIDS including specific project support are mainstreamed into all development efforts [11].

SDC contributes to combat these Public Health threats and to scale up the response in the framework of national strategies as supported by the international agenda. The increasing burden of non-communicable diseases can be addressed as part of an integrated approach to providing essential health care services and promoting healthier behaviour.