Subject(s)
Acidosis, Lactic/chemically induced , Acidosis, Lactic/therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy , Diabetic Nephropathies/therapy , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy , Metformin/adverse effects , Renal Dialysis/methods , Urea/therapeutic use , Aged , Female , Humans , Hypoglycemic Agents/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Based on the results of an inquiry, answered by 39 out of the 53 rural Church hospitals and clinics in Ghana, a list of 34 indispensable drugs was compiled. At a cost of less than US $600 000 it is possible to provide all Church health institutions (30% of all health facilities in Ghana) with these 34 essential drugs for one year (at 1982 prices). When the drugs are prepacked in Units, distribution can easily be carried out from a very limited number of distribution points, without the need for extensive logistic provisions such as trucks, stores, personnel and security checks.
PIP: Some of the results of the activities of a drug committee of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG)--which comprises 30% of the total capacity of health institutions in the country--are reported. A list of 34 "indispensable" drugs is given. A questionnaire was sent to all 53 church hospitals and clinics that are CHAG members, consisting of 3 parts: 1) the annual statistics of the institution--number of beds, number of admissions, annual outpatient attendances, antenatal services, major surgery, and deliveries; 2) a list of 100 commonly used drugs. Respondents were asked to mark 25 drugs that they considered necessary for the immediate relief of shortages. 3) Using the drug list again, respondents were asked to mark 25 drugs considered to be "indispensable" in general, and to indicate the estimated annual consumption. The questionnaire was given to 52 of 53 institutions. Within 1 month, 39 (75%) were returned. Total annual figures were: beds, 3858, admissions, 127,773; outpatient consultations, 2,555,500; antenatal patients, 442,700; major surgery, 12,000; and deliveries, 39,000. All member institutions were divided into 4 categories according to their size. A list of 34 "indispensable" drugs is given. All institutions were to be provided with a 6-months "buffer stock" of "indispensable" drugs. A cost estimate to provide these drugs came to US$300,000 (at 1982 prices). This amount has been obtained as a gift from an overseas donor agency. Drugs left out of this list are given.
