| pubmed-article:7879279 | pubmed:otherAbstract | PIP: In Zambia, free health care is not sustainable, so the community must participate actively in the operation of health services. A well-operated district hospital and health centers within the community must cooperate. A successful cost-effective health system depends on effective leadership of the health care team; use of appropriate technology; delegation of much responsibility to paramedical, nursing, and ancillary staff; and use of the district hospital and its district for postgraduate teaching programs for district health specialists. The health care team consists of medical officers, who are generalists; nurses and midwives; administrators; and an engineer to maintain equipment. Examples of appropriate or intermediate technology include Perkin's traction for most fractures, dynamic skin traction for fracture/dislocations of the elbow in adults or olecranon traction, split skin grafting, musculo-cutaneous or axial flaps, suturing of tendons, spinal anesthesia, draw-over anesthesia, and IV ketamine. In some African countries, including Zambia, medical assistants are trained to deal with some types of general anesthesia. Nurses can be trained to become children's nurses, organizing preventive clinics and being responsible for diagnosis and treatment of all conditions except the most serious. Both medical assistants and nurses can become ophthalmic assistants. Dental therapists can handle many activities usually handled by dentists (e.g., fillings and extractions). Operating nurses can be trained to perform some surgery. In many countries, the training ability of the good district hospital is not used to its potential. The district hospital can form important links by teaching medical students at university centers and the districts. Improvement of health problems in developing countries depends on persons willing to work with the poor and to sacrifice material gain. | lld:pubmed |
