Primary health care

Question 1

consequences of ineffective healthcare

Answer 1

• High mortality rates
• High rates of illness leading to lower productivity
• Absenteeism from work and schools
• Poor quality health care or inadequate facilities, eg hospitals and clinics
• High levels of GDP spent on treating diseases such as malaria leading to less being spent on infrastructure and services

Question 2

what does primary healthcare cover?

Answer 2

• Education on health problems and how to prevent and control them.
• Development of effective food supply and proper nutrition.
• Maternal and child healthcare, including family planning.
• Adequate and safe water supply and basic sanitation.
• Immunization against major infectious diseases.
• Local endemic diseases control.
• Appropriate treatment of common diseases and injuries.
• Provision of essential basic medication.

Question 3

barefoot doctors

Answer 3

• Barefoot Doctors provide health education and administer basic first aid, then refer people to local health care centres/hospitals if needed.
• This is suitable for developing countries as many rural people find it hard to travel to the hospitals which can be many days walk away
• This takes pressure off the busy hospitals and allows illnesses to be treated earlier before they become more serious.
• Barefoot doctors also educate through play and songs, whic is suitable as some people are illiterate in low-income countries.

Question 4

malaria kits

Answer 4

• Malaria kits issued to teachers in rural schools (microscope and anti-malarial drugs).
• Pupils and parents trust teacher
• No extra wage or building costs required
• Teachers can pass on knowledge to other teachers

Question 5

oral rehydration therapy (ORT)

Answer 5

• The mixture of salt and sugar with clean water
• It is very effective as it is cheap for low-income countries.
• It can be administered by untrained staff.
• The WHO estimates 1 million babies lives are saved each year from this.

Question 6

bicycles

Answer 6

• Research shows that Community Health Volunteers reach 45% more patients more often with a bicycle.
• By visiting patients frequently and spending more time with them, caregivers can better understand and address their patients’ needs.
• Bicycles also contribute to greater retention of volunteers within the healthcare program.
• Bicycles can be used for personal errands, instead of walking, leaving more time for professional development.

Question 7

Charities

Answer 7

• Water Aid improve water and sanitation by installing facilities such as pit latrines.
• The number of people without access to improved drinking water decreased.
• Ash compost from latrines can improve crop yield, thus easing malnutrition .

Question 8

vaccination programmes

Answer 8

• UNICEF run immunisation campaigns in rural areas where people here find it more difficult to access healthcare.
• Eg. polio immunication campaign. By 2018 polio was endemic in only 2 countries.

Question 9

ITNs

Answer 9

• Provide a physical barrier against the mosquito.
• However, they need to be treated regularly to be effective
• In some cases are used as fishing nets so wash off insecticide.