They advocate the right to health for all; access to health services and protection against threats to health.
They were founded 40 years ago by a group of Dutch medical students who believed that medical interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LIMCs) can be effective only if the underlying causes of health problems are addressed. Since then, they have acquired an international reputation for their rights-based and systemic approach to health. They target policy-makers and politicians, but also reach out to the public at large.
They believe in using their knowledge base to build bridges, raise awareness of urgent health issues among policy-makers both in the Netherlands and abroad, and strengthen the voices of partner organisations and those without easy access to healthcare.
Vision
Health is a universal human right. Governments must create the conditions for guaranteeing the health of all their citizens: access to health services and protection against threats to health.
Mission
- They are an independent civil-society organisation (CSO) seeking to improve public health worldwide.
- They analyse Dutch, European, and global policies that affect health and propose relevant changes.
- They hold the Dutch government, the EU, and multilateral organisations accountable for their responsibility to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to health.
