Even today a select number of health conditions continue to be responsible for a high proportion of the global burden of disease. In the developing world, infectious diseases - the so-called diseases of poverty – dominate and are responsible for untold human suffering, disabilities and loss of life.

In fighting communicable diseases, SDC gives priority to prevention while promoting a continuum of prevention to care. SDC concentrates its support on the control of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis and 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, mainly in the field of malaria and neglected diseases, such as trypanosomiasis.

SDC is involved in the fight against malaria and the global tuberculosis epidemic at the highest international level as well as at all levels of health systems within partner countries. In response to the growing dimension of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, SDC promotes not only a health sector response but also HIV/AIDS mainstreaming. Consequently, SDC not only supports national governments to scale up their response to the epidemic, in line with the international agenda, but also through mainstreaming across all of its development cooperation efforts.

SDC does not give a particular focus to the control of non-communicable diseases but seeks to address them as part of an integrated approach to providing essential health care services and promoting healthier behaviour.