Occupational health services in "small plants" in Shanghai County

With the reorganization of the grassroots structure and economic readjustment, the commune- and brigade-run plants have now been changed to district (town)- and village-run plants, respectively, and the role of industrial production has become more important to the total income of the people. The Qi-yi Commune (District) is a good example. The number of plants showed an increase of 80% from 1975 to 1983, whereas the number of workers increased by 149%. The number of workers as a percentage of the total population of the district grew from 10% to about 25%. The rapid progress of industry led to a need to promote occupational health services as part of primary health care. This article reviews the implementation of such services with the objective of attaining the goal "Health for all by the year 2000."