1. Provide health institutions with technical consultations and to help establish and develop rational and cost-effective local systems of health care provision.
2. Engage in cooperative, as opposed to competitive, relations with local institutions, the department has encouraged the development of local institutions for health care provision and action, and has thus encouraged the health of the communities they serve. Through debate, discussion, support and technical assistance, and the maintenance of an accessible data base, the department has realized its commitment to a team approach to health care provision and action.
3. Adoption of a gender sensitive approach to its activities, attempting, whenever possible, to incorporate women's voices, needs and aspirations into the definition of community needs and demands for health care.