For a century, Dutch missionaries, doctors, and nurses have dedicated themselves to people with little or no access to medical care. What began as Memisa, founded by a group of pioneers who set out for distant continents, later became Cordaid, an organisation that reaches millions of people with quality healthcare.
Over the past hundred years, a great deal has changed. From the medical training courses for missionaries to innovative healthcare programmes in Africa and Asia. From setting up basic clinics to developing a results-based financing method that has since been adopted worldwide.
Thanks to this relentless effort, maternal and child mortality have dropped significantly, and millions of people have gained access to the care they need.
Yet, the reality remains urgent: more than half of the world’s population still lacks essential healthcare. Climate change, pandemics, and political instability continue to undermine progress.
What do these hundred years of struggle, dedication, and progress look like? And what must we do to secure access to healthcare in the future?
Watch this video to discover the story behind 100 years of global health: from Memisa to Cordaid. The video is narrated in Dutch with English subtitles.
