OUR STORY

Approximately 15 million people die needlessly every year due to communicable diseases – more than a quarter of these deaths are caused by HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria.  Why are so many still dying when treatment and prevention for these diseases are available?   What do we need to do differently?

In 2004, Dr. James Orbinski and James Fraser launched Dignitas International to develop innovative solutions for the most pressing global health challenges. Alongside patients, frontline health workers and community advocates in Malawi, we began identifying and analyzing the gaps and bottlenecks afflicting patient care and health systems.

For example, we realized that the cost of travelling to a hospital located in major centres was a major barrier for the vast majority of people living in rural areas. So we brought treatment to the people by strengthening the ability of health centres to diagnose and treat HIV/AIDS, TB and other common conditions at the community level.  In just seven years, our programs have saved tens of thousands of lives and we’ve created and tested innovative solutions that are applicable throughout the developing world.

Driven by our successes, our research projects and front-line operations continue to grow and have already improved global health policy and practice. We’re now ramping up our engagement with policymakers so that our research evidence and innovations are shared beyond Malawi to impact the lives of millions in the developing world.

But we can’t do it alone.  With our living results as proof and with a community of powerful, caring people like you alongside us, we believe the time is ripe for a Global Health Revolution.