E-drug: Experience on mobile clinics sought (cont'd)
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I have had a number of requests for Siyad Abdullah's concentration
paper. I have posted it on my web site at:
http://dcc2.bumc.bu.edu/richardl/Siyad_concpaper.doc
If you do not have web access and cannot use GETWEB facility
please contact me and I will send it to you. The abstract is posted
below.
If you have any queries about the paper please contact him directly
at Siyat Abdullahi <siyadabdul@yahoo.com>
Richard Laing
Associate Professor of International Health
Boston University School of Public Health
715 Albany St, T4W, Boston MA 02118 USA
Tel 617 414-1444 Fax 617 638-4476
E-mail richardl@bu.edu
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Siyad A. Abdulllahi
Concentration Paper
Title: Mobile health services, and health service delivery among
nomadic populations in northern Kenya.
Abstract
Developing countries face difficulties in providing health services for
rural populations at even the minimum level of care, especially in
regions with nomadic populations. Nomadic populations have the
least access to health care. Several approaches have been
employed to increase health care access, and one of these is adding
new facilities. However, building new facilities does not necessarily
answer the question of how best to serve more people with better
services. Providing mobile health services has been adopted as one
strategy to improve access to health care. But the introduction of a
mobile clinic may not necessary increase coverage of health
services. Mobile health services should be organized in a manner in
which they fulfil referral, supervisory, logistic and a supportive role.
There is a need for increasing mobility of health services, and
adapting services to the needs of undeserved communities.
However, attention should be paid to the organization, planning,
and evaluation of mobile health services, so as to increase their
efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Populations can be effectively
served by a system of comprehensive PHC, using both static and
mobile facilities, providing prevention, promotion, treatment, and
referral services. However, achieving this requires appropriate
coordination, management, and motivation at all levels supported
by improvement of environmental and transport conditions.
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