RESUMO
The authors present their experiences in assisting the government of Niger to develop automated information systems for health care management. They discuss the structure of the health system, the role of donor assistance, the process of initiating automated systems, and the technical requirements and costs of the system. Finally, they draw general conclusions that may be useful for those attempting similar efforts.
Assuntos
Sistemas de Apoio a Decisões Administrativas , Planejamento em Saúde/organização & administração , Administração em Saúde Pública , Custos e Análise de Custo , Sistemas de Apoio a Decisões Administrativas/economia , Difusão de Inovações , Processamento Eletrônico de Dados , Microcomputadores , Níger , SoftwareAssuntos
Hanseníase/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Malaui , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Three cases of profound hypothyroidism, 2 of whom lapsed into myxoedema coma are reported. All 3 cases presented over a 5 week period. Modern management, especially the use of intensive care, has improved the outcome. All 3 cases survived. Treated hypothyroid patients frequently discontinue their medicines and constitute the majority of patients presenting in myxoedema coma. It is vital that the patient and their families are made aware that treatment must be life-long. Hypothalamic-pituitary dynamic studies with thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) were also performed and are reported.
