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.

Select target paragraph3