ETC Crystal

ETC Crystal originates from 1997 and is the ETC public health consultancy group that wants to contribute to achieve the highest possible health status of people in low and middle-income countries.

Since its start ETC Crystal has engaged in the design, appraisal, technical backstopping and evaluation of health and HIV/AIDS programmes in a variety of countries. ETC Crystal also has implemented programmes itself. Through technical assistance and advisory services, ETC Crystal assesses health-sector policies and performances in several ways, for example:

• ETC Crystal helps to develop national health-sector support systems;
• ETC Crystal develops and appraises health-care programmes;
• ETC Crystal supports efficient management of health resources
• ETC Crystal also assists in the coordination of donor inputs and their alignment with national priorities;
• ETC Crystal continues to develop suitable (multi-sectoral) responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic;
• ETC Crystal operates in countries that pursue a development agenda, but increasingly also in 'fragile states', in particular countries that are in political or post-conflict transition and are engaging in trajects strengthening the health system.

ETC Crystal works closely together with its ‘sister’ ETC Tangram, which works in the Dutch health care system.

Clients include governments, NGOs, development agencies and the private sector.

The ETC Crystal group consists of a number of professionals and associates with external consultants, all with an interest in international public health. Being trained as medical doctors, sociologists, nutritionists, economists or management specialists, with various post-graduate specialisations, ETC Crystal is a multidisciplinary group that seeks to bring together various types of expertise and skills. By doing so, ETC Crystal is not only able to promote equitable and robust health systems, the group derives also more satisfaction from its work.

Consultancy forms the main part of ETC Crystals work. Crystal offers short- and medium-term consultancy services at the request of a large variety of clients and based on an agreed terms of reference. In the consultancy assignments Crystal often combines technical advice with strengthening of the local capacities of clients. Apart from availing technical expertise, Crystal also offers management and mediation services, undertakes operational research and, finally, offers training.