E-drug: selfmedication policies, guidelines, EDL? (cont'd)
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Just in case anyone out there is still looking for answers on this
question.
The only text I know of that really helps a person through the
process of deciding whether or not they need medical help and
equips them to take charge of minor conditions themselves is David
Werners' classic 'Where There is No Doctor - a village health care
handbook' - Oxfam with TALC - Macmillan Tropical Community
Health Manuals.
The book besides being rich in information, is grounded in certain
principles of prevention, simplicity and indeed ethics that seem be
to be often lost in our work. It starts with words to the village
health worker and then defines this as 'a person who helps lead
family and neighbours toward better health '...' This means almost
everyone can and should be a health worker.' By implication, one
can be both sick as well as a health worker. So it is for everybody.
The starting point is not medication but promotion of good health.
Just to help you decide whether or not you want your own copy,
here is a contents list of the main sections. The subsections are
more helpful ... but this is would take 7 pages of normal type. The
manual is incidentally detailed c.400 pages, illustrated, provides an
annex on information on medicines, and also list medicines under
illnesses alongside preventive measures wherever relevant. It has
been used extensively in teaching and practising community health
worldwide - by professionals, and by ordinary people who either
need to or want to primarily rely on themselves to look after their
own health.
Best wishes
Fawzia Rasheed
Switzerland
e-mail: rasheedf@bluewin.ch