With healthcare systems around the world under increasing pressure due to various crises, and budgets for international solidarity being drastically reduced, eight Belgian NGOs have decided to join forces. Viva Salud is launching, with Damien Action, Chain of Hope, Disability International, Light for the World, Doctors of the World, Doctors Without Holidays and Memisa, the Health Impact Coalition.
Global public health under pressure
Access to quality healthcare is under pressure around the world. Today, 4.5 billion people still do not have access to basic health services and 2 billion are facing financial difficulties due to healthcare costs (WHO).
Healthcare systems are under severe strain due to epidemics, conflicts, instability politics, climate change and the rise of microbial resistance. At the same time, budgets allocated to international solidarity are being reduced all over the world, including in Belgium with a reduction of 25 %. These challenges require new forms of collaboration.
What is the Health Impact Coalition (HICO)?
The Health Impact Coalition (HICO) is a alliance long-term eight Belgian NGOs who combine their expertise to provide concrete solutions to inequalities in access to healthcare around the world. The coalition will strengthen the healthcare system with the aim of improving their quality and accessibility, both in terms of primary care, only hospitals (second line) and specialist care (third line). Particular attention will be paid to most vulnerable communities. In addition to curative care, the coalition will also support preventive healthcare.
« The world is changing and healthcare systems are under pressure. By coming together in the Health Impact Coalition, we want to reinvent collaboration and offer concrete, positive solutions for everyone's health.» explains Elies Van Belle, Managing Director of Memisa.
Contribute to increasing our impact
What makes the Health Impact Coalition unique is that the participating NGOs do not simply work side by side: they will share actively their knowledge, theirs experience and their resources. This collaboration enables the development of innovative and integrated projects having an impact on different levels. Light for the World supports people affected by visual impairments, Memisa works to improve access to primary healthcare, Handicap International focuses on the inclusion of the most vulnerable populations, while Médecins du Monde promotes holistic and mental health approaches.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, hospitals run by various NGOs share their experiences and integrate various services such as eye care, rehabilitation, mental health and specialised surgery. Thus, the patients benefit from a seamless, comprehensive care pathway and coordinated, maximising their chances of recovery. A structural collaboration of this type would be impossible for a single NGO to organise.
Global and forward-looking
The Health Impact Coalition is active on four continents: in Africa, Asia, Americatinot and at Middle East. By joining forces, the NGOs hope to have a greater impact and develop sustainable solutions, regardless of the political or social context.
«Health is a fundamental right, not a privilege.», emphasises Erwin Telemans, president of the coalition. «Too many people still face barriers to accessing healthcare due to fragile or fragmented systems. With the Health Impact Coalition, we want to challenge this reality and build sustainable solutions, regardless of circumstances or political issues. »
In figures:
● Eight Belgian NGOs are working together within the coalition.
● Active in 25 countries worldwide
● Over 1,650 employees and 16,000 volunteers
● Over 10 million people are supported each year
Through these alliances, the eight NGOs can combine their expertise and resources to offer innovative and inclusive solutions to people who do not yet have sufficient access to healthcare. Together, we are working to make healthcare accessible to everyone, everywhere in the world..
« From community-based care to hospital support, infectious diseases to the inclusion of people with disabilities – our diversity, and that of our partners, is our strength in contributing to broad and inclusive strategies aimed at strengthening health systems. »
Filip Sere, coordinator of the Health Impact Coalition.
Press contacts:
EN: Pascale Barnich – pascale.barnich@actiondamien.be
NL: Elies Van Belle – elies.van.belle@memisa.be
Find out more about the eight NGOs: https://www.healthimpactcoalition.org/who-we-are
