Health
The Netherlands has a lot of healthcare expertise which it uses to help improve access to healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. It also helps countries around the world prepare for pandemics and keep diseases in check. This contributes to security in the Netherlands and creates opportunities for Dutch companies.
Not everyone has access to proper healthcare, contraceptives or medication. This situation prevents fair and equal development. Healthy people are better able to participate in society. They are also less likely to leave their country if they have access to good healthcare there. Good healthcare is particularly important for women, girls and vulnerable groups.
That’s why the government works with Dutch companies and organisations to improve healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. For instance through the Dutch Global Health Hub, a network of Dutch universities, NGOs and businesses.
Healthcare for women and girls
The Netherlands works to reduce child and maternal mortality, for example through vaccination and education. Dutch technologies bring healthcare to people in rural areas to help detect diseases and identify pregnancy risks. The Netherlands also supports programmes around sexual and reproductive health and rights that help ensure women have access to contraceptives, safe abortion and safe childbirth.
Better prepared for pandemics
The Netherlands helps countries around the world become better prepared for pandemics, which helps reduce the likelihood of diseases spreading globally. For example, the Netherlands is helping the World Health Organisation (WHO) combat the mpox virus in African countries.
Importance to the Netherlands
The Netherlands contributes to better healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. This reduces inequality in those countries and brings opportunities for Dutch companies in the healthcare sector. That helps local economies grow. When people have access to good healthcare, they are less likely to leave their country.
The COVID pandemic showed how quickly diseases and viruses can spread around the world. As a result of climate change, tropical diseases are occurring in more places than before. Malaria and dengue, for example, could also emerge in the Netherlands in the future. That means it is in the Netherlands’ interests to ensure that countries around the world are better prepared for pandemics and diseases.
This is one way that development aid contributes to better security, better regulation of migration and trade in the Netherlands.