ABSTRACT
The development of public health and primary care in Jamaica is examined with particular reference to the historical events which paved the way for their development: notably, the collaborative work undertaken by the Rockefeller Foundation (Commissions on hookworm, tuberculosis, malaria, yaws); recommendations of the Moyne Commission (leading to the establishment of the West Indies School of Public Health); and the Irvine Commission which recommended the establishment of the University College of the West Indies. A confluence of political, social and international activity in the 1970s proved catalytic in the development of the current ethos of primary health care, and the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine was instrumental in the training of the most innovative addition to the primary care health team, the community health aide. Undergraduate and postgraduate training programmes of the Department are highlighted as it celebrates its fortieth anniversary.
Subject(s)
Humans , History, 20th Century , Public Health/history , Primary Health Care/history , Education, Medical, Graduate/history , Patient Care Team/history , Schools, Medical/history , Preventive Medicine/history , Social Medicine/history , Public Health/education , West IndiesSubject(s)
Community Health Services , Education, Medical , Preventive Medicine , Social Medicine , West IndiesABSTRACT
En este articulo, los autores hacen un breve analisis de los problemas de salud de la Mancomunidad del Caribe y de las actividades de atencion primaria emprendidas para resolverlos. Se concede especial atencion a los programas conducentes al establecimiento de nuevas categorias de auxiliares de salud y a la orientacion del personal en tecnicas apropiadas a las condiciones de trabajo. Esos programas permiten al auxiliar de salud y al personal homologo adaptar convenientemente sus cometidos y funciones y prestar asi una atencion de calidad con recursos escasos. Los principales programas son: formacion de nuevas categorias de auxiliares de salud, por ejemplo, ayudantes de salud de la comunidad y enfermeras auxiliares de medicina; instruccion teorica y practica de personal homologo; y adiestramiento de medicos de atencion primaria. Por ultimo, se exponen las actividades de atencion primaria de salud en Jamaica y en otros paises y territorios del Caribe