The Tradition of Medical Missions in the Maelstrom of the International Health Arena

Abstract

In the second half of this century, medical care developed international dimensions in a process of globalization. The history of international health dates back to the pioneering stage of medical missions and colonial medicine, which opened the Two-Thirds World for the influences of Western-oriented health care. This article reviews the evolution of public health work to what is now called international health work. The WHO-target of “Health for All by the Year 2000” is subjected to a critical appraisal. In the reflection on international health, global Christianity is challenged to address fundamental anthropological and ethical questions.