For example,
the Ministry of Public Works
builds and maintains
the
wastewater and drinking water systems, but the Ministry of Health Services
tests the water for potability.
apparent.
Very little coordination between the two is
The Public Health Division is responsible for nutrition education
through the section of Health Education.
Nevertheless, nutrition education
is also covered by the School Lunch Program run under the Ministry of
Education and additional
department as well.
nutrition work is done by the the agriculture
Further uncoordination is seen in the area of mental
health and susbstance abuse (alcoholism, drug abuse, suicide, etc.).
These
services are generally provided by separate entities in the Ministry of
Social Services as well as that which is provided by the Ministry of Health
Services.
In
summary,
health
promotion
and
protection
services,
and
health
prevention and detection services are scattered throughout the government.
Their location in the government structure reflects the disparate sources of
federal
grants-in-aid which
started
them.
As
a
result
considerable
duplication of services and inefficiency is common..
Recommendations
It is not the purpose of this report to recommend changes in the whole MIG
Structure.
What is needed though, is that the Ministry of Health Services not
add to the problem by being uncoordinated within its own organization.
Thus, it is recommended that all Federal categorical grant programs i.e.
crippled
children's,
traditional
control,
meals-on-wheels,
hypertension,
"public health" programs i.e.
maternal
and
child
health,
be
as
well
as
the
more
immunizations, communicable disease
put
Care/Public Health Services (see Org. Chart).
under
one
Division
of
Primary
Besides the above mentioned public
health activities, this division will manage the entire primary care (dispenary)
system on the outer islands (see section VI-B).
10