IRD’s health team develops both long-term programs and immediate interventions in order to address the complex health care needs of vulnerable populations. Since 1999, IRD has implemented programs in maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, family planning and reproductive health, treatment of infectious diseases, nutrition, community-based primary healthcare, health education, and improvement of water and sanitation. Through these programs, IRD has provided training for health professionals, built and managed health information systems and health programs, and provided pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies to communities in need. In 2005 alone, IRD implemented more than 15 health projects throughout the world.

IRD has made the fight against HIV/AIDS a top priority, and is working with international donors, public and private organizations and university groups to implement effective HIV/AIDS programs in Mozambique, Azerbaijan and Ukraine. IRD conducts behavior change communication (BCC) campaigns with the active participation of local communities, and through awareness programs engages people living with HIV/AIDS to counter stigma and discrimination. In Ukraine alone, IRD has reached more than 35,000 potential beneficiaries with information about HIV/AIDS and how to reduce the stigma against victims of HIV/AIDS. In addition, IRD has trained nearly 5,000 HIV/AIDS teachers in Ukraine.

IRD is committed to making family planning and reproductive health services available to people in all parts of the world. In Serbia and Montenegro, IRD has actively involved youth in reproductive health and peer education activities and provides information and services to schools, community groups and youth centers. In 2005 IRD developed and implemented 94 reproductive health education projects in western Serbia and 20 community-based health projects, including projects targeting Roma populations.

IRD’s health efforts also focus on food security and nutrition. In Indonesia, Cambodia, Azerbaijan and Sri Lanka, our programs are designed to address malnutrition in women and children; IRD helps local food processing companies to adopt food fortification practices and focus on specific interventions to reduce incidents of parasitic infections.

In response to the tsunami in Southeast Asia, IRD’s health team designed immediate and long-term programs to distribute supplies, increase access to health services, and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. IRD is also working to mitigate the spread of Avian Flu through community-based surveillance and public awareness campaigns with a specific focus on Asia and Eastern Europe.

By partnering with local governments, community organizations, and health care providers, IRD creates innovative programs that are responsive to local communities. In 2006, IRD will continue to build on its core capabilities to address the evolving health care needs of developing countries.
Health officials conducting IRD's school de-worming program, Sri Lanka.

Current Projects
Armenia – Distribution of Medical Commodities
Armenia – Improved Primary Health Care Services
Azerbaijan – HIV/AIDS Prevention
Azerbaijan – Distribution of Medical Commodities
Georgia – Distribution of Medical Commodities
Indonesia – School Health Improvement Project (SHIP)
Indonesia – Avian Flu Awareness and Prevention
Indonesia – Health Grants Management
Mozambique – Women First HIV/AIDS program
Mozambique – National Council for HIV/AIDS Organizational Development
Mozambique - Community Mobilization/Training in Sanitation
Sri Lanka – Health Grants Management
Ukraine – Emergency Response to Avian Flu in Crimea
Ukraine – Reducing Stigma and Discrimination Associated with HIV Infection and AIDS
Ukraine – Distribution of Medical Commodities