Supporting Christian health services in resource-limited settings

DIFAEM is a Christian NGO offering technical expertise and financial support for health services in resource-limited settings. Its special emphasis is on Primary Health Care and access to good health services even for poor and marginalized communities. DIFAEM works in partnership with churches, mission and development agencies and other non-government organizations. Its work is based on and motivated by our Christian faith and seeks to address health issues in a holistic manner. Through its international work, DIFAEM provides support for about 80 health projects mainly in Africa, but also in Asia and to a lesser extent in Latin America. The countries of focus are the DR Congo, Chad, Sudan, Malawi and the Great Lakes Region (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya), as well as India and Papua New Guinea.

How we started >

Our Mission and Vision >

DIFAEM is the governing body of the Tropical Hospital/ Paul-Lechler-Hospital in Tübingen. Together with the Southwest German Tumour Centre/ Comprehensiv Cancer Centre Tübingen of the University Hospital in Tübingen, DIFAEM shares the governing responsibility of the "Tübingen Project: Home Care for Seriously Ill Patients". The lobby group Action against AIDS, of which we are the legally-acknowledged governing body, provides a platform to work for the right to health.

DIFAEM Teams

Health Services

Strengthening health systems – from the community to the facility level – is central to our ministry. This includes assisting our partner organizations to mobilize communities to use their own assets and building their potentials in taking action for health-related issues. At the same time, we focus on improving health services and quality of care, further qualifying medical personnel, and strengthening organizational development of partner organizations/institutions. Read more >

Pharmaceutical Services

Half of the people living in Sub-Saharan countries do not have reliable access to essential medicines. DIFAEM pharmaceutical services focus on capacity building of pharmaceutical services through action as well as through lobby and advocacy. Read more >

Training and capacity building for health service providers

In Germany DIFAEM offers special training courses for health professionals who plan to work for some time in resource-limited settings. All courses are given in German. Read more >

Theological studies

DIFAEM’s health work is based on the understanding that healing is an essential part of the mission of the churches. Therefore, we encourage the churches to recognize their specific contribution and task in the field of health and to implement their healing ministry in various contexts today. Our worldwide engagement aims at promoting and strengthening the health work of Christian churches, communities, organizations and individuals. Read more >

Lobby and advocacy activities

In the 1980s, DIFAEM recognized the importance of HIV and AIDS especially in Africa and started supporting HIV related activities. In 2000 it played a crucial role in the development of “Action against AIDS", a national lobby and advocacy network of Christian and other nongovernmental organizations with the aim to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, antiretroviral treatment, treatment, care and support. Website "Action against AIDS" >