[Rural health center in Bali]

The rural Health Centre of Mengwi, on the island of Bali, was built and equipped for US $ 15,000 by Project Concern, a non-sectarian, medical relief organization. It has been run so successfully by them since it opened in 1974, that not only has the Centre gained the trust of the local community into which it is now fully integrated, but it is also regarded by the Indonesian Government as a pilot project. Amongst the factors leading to this success, the author underlines the following points: a suitable location for the Centre, easily accessible by the villagers; a local staff recruited from the villages of Mengwi District, well trained and sympathetic to the population; constant retraining of the staff leading to better medical care; the availability of a doctor and nurse around the clock; an adequate supply of drugs. Evaluation of the operation is best done by the acceptance of special programmes such as the Under-Five Clinic, the Family Planning Scheme, Ante-Natal Clinic and vaccinations. The mere success of the general clinic would not mean that the Centre had been integrated into the community and become a factor in rural development. The success of these special clinics, as well as the out-reach programmes, demonstrates that through adequate delivery of medical care, the Health Centre of Mengwi can now fulfil its role of being an important factor in the development of a rural community in the tropics.