Disease- or health-determinant specific programmes are important components of any health agenda. Such programmes respond to specific health threats, whether perceived or real. They are set up because the control of these threats requires a focused approach and interventions. In Low-Income Countries (LICs), however, most of these programmes fall short of their ambition because, for full implementation, human resources for health (HRH) are not, or cannot, be made available (in quantity or in quality) where they are needed most.