Starting with the duty of Governments to provide adequate resources for the establishment and development of health services, this paper draws on experiences in four developed countries to illustrate the problems and their outcomes. The examples chosen demonstrate the contrast in philosophies and approach to resource allocation for health care.
Matched MeSH terms: Health Services/supply & distribution*
Malaysia has a population of 21.2 million of which 44% resides in rural areas. A major priority of healthcare providers has been the enhancement of health of 'disadvantaged' rural communities particularly the rural poor, women, infants, children and the disabled. The Ministry of Health is the main healthcare provider for rural communities with general practitioners playing a complimentary role. With an extensive network of rural health clinics, rural residents today have access to modern healthcare with adequate referral facilities. Mobile teams, the flying doctor service and village health promoters provide healthcare to remote areas. The improvement in health status of the rural population using universal health status indicators has been remarkable. However, differentials in health status continue to exist between urban and rural populations. Malaysia's telemedicine project is seen as a means of achieving health for all rural people.
Matched MeSH terms: Rural Health Services/supply & distribution*
The Profile of Community Psychiatry Clients (PCPC) was developed in a Sydney-based sample of those with a mental illness as a 35-item measure of likely need for service recognition, review and possible assistance.
Matched MeSH terms: Community Mental Health Services/supply & distribution*
Despite being part of one of the few remaining primitive areas of the world, both Sabah and Sarawak are provided with adequate, though simple, urban and rural general medical services. At present no reliable data on the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in these areas have been collected and no organised treatment services are available. Gonorrhoea appears to be the commonest notifiable infectious disease in Sarawak, and beta-lactamase-producing strains have been isolated. Because of the rapidly expanding economy and the encouragement of the tourist trade, sexually transmitted disease is likely to prove an increasing problem, for which a specialised service for diagnosis and treatment is badly needed.
Matched MeSH terms: Health Services/supply & distribution
One hundred and forty-one Penans from three longhouses along the Melinau and Terawan Rivers, Baram, Sarawak were examined. The number of decayed, missing and filled teeth was determined for each subject. The number of Penans who wore dentures was noted likewise the number of Penans who brush their teeth was recorded. The relationship between these findings and their possible causes are discussed.
Matched MeSH terms: Dental Health Services/supply & distribution
Hospital care and advanced medical technologies for sick neonates are increasingly available, but not always readily accessible, in many countries. We characterised parents' and providers' perceptions of barriers to neonatal care in developing countries.
Matched MeSH terms: Child Health Services/supply & distribution*
In February to March 1982 at the psychiatric emergency service of the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, some data on 491 patients (92% of 531 patients seen) were collected. Two-hundred and eighty-three patients had received psychiatric treatment and 65 had previously received medical treatment. Fifty-three per cent of the patients have schizophrenic disorders, 5.1% had situational reactions and 1.63% had chronic alcoholism. Of the 111 patients presented with either physical complaints or insomnia, eleven of them were admitted to the psychiatric wards. Three-hundred and eleven patients were followed-up in the psychiatric outpatient clinics. The availability of a psychiatric emergency service in a general hospital can contribute towards early psychiatric case findings and preventive Intervention. II provides an opportunity for liaison and consultation with other medical colleagues in the care of patients with physical complaints and attempted suicides.
Study site: Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC)
Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health Services/supply & distribution*
Several Asian regions have undergone a dramatic transformation, some becoming very affluent. This paper aims to ascertain how countries that are becoming wealthy have dealt with child and adolescent mental health issues.
Matched MeSH terms: Mental Health Services/supply & distribution