The initial activities of ACI’s Health Department involved health consultations in primary health care, community health, maternal and child health, malaria, among others.
ACI’s participation in 1990 in a series of consultations with UNDP for the development of a new training model called HIV and Development, marked a turning point. The Director of ACI, who participated in this transformational process designed to raise awareness among leaders of the socioeconomic consequences of the epidemic, became acutely aware of the urgency of involving his organization in the response to HIV and AIDS. ACI has since become a key actor in the response to HIV and AIDS in Senegal and the Africa Region. ACI distinguished itself through a series of communication and training activities that helped to create a broad network of associations and NGOs in Senegal, in the sub-region and across the Atlantic who have either benefited directly from these activities or have been active collaborators within the network.

Over the years, the goals of the Health Department have became more precise and its program priorities clearer. ACI is concerned with all sensitive areas related the health of the general population and that of women and young people in particular where communication in all its forms is a key element to achieving the goal of health for all.
The specific goals of ACI’s Health Department include:

Improving knowledge and practices related to health in general and reproductive health in particular

Helping people to understand the importance and the urgency of reproductive health questions and their impact on development (including HIV and AIDS)

Mobilizing a critical mass of people in a collective search for solutions to urgent health problems

Creating a favorable environment for involving individuals and institutions from all sectors of society in the process of developing and implementing effective, sustainable responses to health problems

Strengthening the capacity of communities to develop activities that complement and strengthen services offered by public and private health services.


ACI’s Health Department specializes in
Strengthening the capacities of NGOs and CBOs including associations of PLWHA
Mobilizing opinion leaders in the response to the epidemic (media, religious leaders, community leaders, members of parliament, mayors, private sector leaders, music industry professionals, actors and artists….)
Improving the circulation of timely, accurate information on health issues
Strengthening existing systems for better integration of an improved response to HIV in the different sectors of development
Organizing courses based on ACI’s experience in the response to HIV and AIDS for Senegalese, American and other foreign students attending our Study Abroad programs
ACI realizes its goals through activities that include training, advocacy, the publication and distribution of learning tools and information through its resource and documentation center. ACI has also been involved in the transformation of scientific research reports into user-friendly reports or brochures that facilitate their broader distribution and use. Helping to strengthen documentation systems and exchanges of information is also part of ACI’s work.
Developing partnerships with other development agencies in the implementation of their priority health and population programs is a constant concern for ACI. Partners then benefit from ACI’s expertise in the organization and facilitation of meetings for exchanging information and experiences and gain easier access to networks of individuals and services in Senegal and the sub-region, already involved in improving the health of the population.
By exploring our website, you will learn more about what ACI’s Health Department has to offer and what partnerships may be possible.