As health systems are weakened by political, economic, climate, and health crises—and as budgetary resources allocated to international cooperation decrease by 25%—eight Belgian NGOs active in the health sector have decided to join forces to propose sustainable, inclusive, and innovative solutions.
Together, Action Damien, Chaîne de l’Espoir, Handicap International, Light for the World, Médecins du Monde, Médecins Sans Vacances, Memisa, and Viva Salud are launching the Health Impact Coalition, an unprecedented alliance aimed at defending the fundamental right to health for all.
A Challenging Context Demands New Responses
Today, 4.5 billion people still lack access to essential health services, and 2 billion face financial hardship due to healthcare costs (WHO).
Health systems are under severe strain from epidemics, climate change, conflicts, and political instability—not to mention antimicrobial resistance, which threatens the success of care and recovery worldwide. Structural challenges, such as fragmented services, resource shortages, and budget cuts, further exacerbate the situation. Budgetary resources for international cooperation are being reduced by donor countries, including Belgium, which recently announced a 25% cut in its federal budget agreement.
To address this fragile context, eight Belgian NGOs are forming a coalition built on solid international operational experience, recognized Belgian expertise, and strong partnerships—including with Enabel and the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, where they advance research. These NGOs, which prioritize the most vulnerable populations, work daily to strengthen health systems, support healthcare workers, improve health facilities, and assist affected communities. They contribute to the implementation of equitable health policies.
"The world is changing, and health systems are under pressure. By uniting within the Health Impact Coalition, our goal is to reinvent cooperation and provide concrete, positive solutions for everyone’s health," explains Elies Van Belle, CEO of Memisa.
A Strategic Response to Declining Funding
Facing a 25% reduction in resources for international cooperation, the Health Impact Coalition has chosen to better coordinate, target, and maximize the impact of its actions through a collective approach.
"As needs grow and the progress built over many years collapses, we risk having to do more with less. We choose to move forward in synergy, with greater focus, leveraging our complementary expertise and Belgian medical know-how to achieve a more significant impact," emphasizes Pascale Barnich, CEO of Action Damien.
Unlike a temporary network, the Health Impact Coalition is a long-term alliance based on a shared strategy, common commitments, and combined expertise. The coalition aims to pool complementary skills: strengthening prevention, reducing transmission, and improving the quality of care—both at the primary level and in hospitals. This will enable patients to be supported by better-equipped health professionals and benefit from more robust health structures, ensuring comprehensive care for visible, invisible, and mental health conditions essential for dignified and sustainable reintegration.
Concrete Collaborations: Solutions Already Taking Shape
One of the coalition’s strengths lies in its ability to combine diverse expertise, enabling innovative, inclusive, and integrated approaches.
For example, Light for the World supports people with visual impairments, Memisa focuses on improving access to primary healthcare, Handicap International promotes the inclusion of the most vulnerable populations, and Médecins du Monde strengthens global and mental health approaches. Specialized surgical interventions, such as those led by Chaîne de l’Espoir, and community actions against stigmatization complement these programs.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a hospital consortium—including Médecins Sans Vacances, Chaîne de l’Espoir, and Action Damien—shares best practices across various hospitals in Kinshasa to improve the quality of care. Other examples demonstrate how integrating complementary services (ophthalmology, rehabilitation, mental health, specialized surgery, etc.) within the same hospital allows patients to benefit from a smooth, comprehensive, and coordinated care pathway—a structural change that would be impossible for a single NGO.
The coalition plans to operate on four continents: Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, where collaboration can multiply impact.
"Health is a fundamental right, not a privilege," reminds Erwin Telemans, President of the coalition. "Too many people still face barriers to accessing care due to the fragility or fragmentation of health systems. Through the Health Impact Coalition, we challenge this reality and develop sustainable solutions, regardless of the context or political challenges."
Health Impact Coalition in Numbers:
8 member NGOs
Present in 25 countries
100+ partners
1,650 staff members
16,000 volunteers
Over 10 million people supported each year