Citation

Diallo I, Ly A, Sakho C. World Health Forum 1995; 16(3): 249-251.

Affiliation

Division of Primary Health Care, Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, Dakar, Senegal.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, World Health Organization)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7546161

Abstract

In 1978 in Senegal the public role in provision of health was institutionalized. The foundation had been laid with the introduction of primary health care throughout the 1970s. In 1992 health committees received the designation as legal entities, and obligations and regulations were specified. Health committees worked cooperatively with government officials. Committees collected money that was used to supplement state funding of operations. Health posts, which provide the first level of care, were largely supported from community funds. At the health center or regional hospital, the government supplied most of the funding. The example is given of Nioro District, Kaolack Region, where committees covered the cost of care provided for those unable to afford it. The other fees collected were used to purchase drugs and to operate and expand primary care services. Since 1992, the receipts from consumer drug purchases were used to pay community health workers, other supplies, and additional services. Nurses, since 1978, have been supplied motorcycles for maintaining outreach to clients. Access to this mode of transportation facilitated the operations of the district health system, particularly at the community level. Unfortunately, replacement of vehicles was not feasible. Some committees have interceded and purchased new replacement vehicles in 10 health posts during 1992-93. Fuel was supplied by district authorities or health committees. These vehicles made it possible to expand immunization to the population over 5 km from health centers. Training and exchanges between head nurses and health staff were facilitated by the access to transportation. It is argued that health committees play an important role in provision and maintenance of health care services.

Language: en