5)
Blood
pressure,
diarrhea,
skin
and
eye
medicines
were
often
totally lacking or inadequate.
6)
Continuing education and supervision in areas of medicine use and
equipment maintenance is lacking.
2)
Recommendations:
a)
Physical plant:
One clinic site on each atoll should be designated for upgrading to a "health
center”.
The present size and design of the newest Hill-Burton clinics (about
1000 sq. ft.) is more than adequate for a "health center."
Additional building
of an open-air “group-meeting place" for health education group activities, group
immunization, pre-natal classes, is needed at most facilities.
be
attached
(thatch).
to present
structures or built
separate
out
This can either
of
local
material
It should be at least 30' x 30', open at sides (for good lighting and
ventilation), have a large work table, and wooden benches (or raised seating
built in slab concrete around edge).
In addition to the main clinic building (as in the Hill-Burton type) and the
“group meeting area," the only other building need is for adequate housing for
the medical
assistant
and
his
family adjacent to
available as part of the clinic structure itself).
the clinic
(unless
it
is
This dwelling should not be
extravagant, but attractive, and large enough for a growing family.
Good housing
will be a principle motivating factor to induce medical assistants to accept
posting to the outer islands.
The present Hill-Burton Clinics are designed with:
1.
three patient rooms (with cabinets for storage and sink)
2.
one small office/reception area
3.
one medicine storage and/or examining room
4.
combined kitchen and sleeping quarters for the health assistant
(could be used as additional holding area or for delivery of babies)
5.
indoor
bath/water-seal
toilet
facilities
for
patients
and
health
assistant
6.
water storage tank and tower (for running water)
7.
outdoor water-seal toilet (separate for outpatients)
With additional attached or separate housing for the medical assistant and
the group meeting shelter, the present Hill-Burton clinic design is adequate.
Some of the atolls already have these new Hill-Burton facilities in the right
places (near the population center and where airport is to be) i.e.
Island.
Arno-Ine
Many poulation areas, unfortunately, do not have adequate facilities or
they have fallen into disrepair.