Development of Manpower for Application of Existing Technologies which are Feasible within Primary Health Care

Abstract

A great deal of ill-health and mortality in the developing world is due to the synergism between infection and malnutrition. Their roots lie in the life-styles of the people. Hence involvement of the community in health-related activities has been a major innovation in many of the successful programmes of health care. All these experiences hold out the hope of rapidly expanding health coverage from the present level of less than 20% to universal care for many poor nations. In the context of these trends and developments the basic components of a primary health care programme are: universal coverage especially of those made vulnerable because of biological, socio-economic or cultural reasons; community awareness of prevalent health problems and active involvement in their control; improved nutrition, safe water and basic sanitation; immunisation against major infectious disease; maternal and child care, including family planning; treatment of common illnesses and injuries; and provision of essential chemotherapeutic agents.