[Swiss Confederation cooperation in health development: beginnings, experiences and present projects]

The types of medical and health activities in the first ten years of the Swiss Confederation's development aid program (1961-71) are examined in a critical light. In that period such aid was primarily in support of missionary hospitals in Africa and came to 3% of the total aid program of Switzerland. In the seventies guidelines for health programs were established and these have since been systematically applied. The principal aspects are: creation of basic health services, adaptation to local conditions, integration into the overall economic and social development efforts, training of health personnel. In conclusion, the article lists geographically those health projects, which are at present financed and/or staffed by DEH.