The itinerant health worker: an experiment in rural health care delivery

A model of rural health-care delivery employing itinerant health workers has been presented. Itinerant workers, whose role is principally community organization and technical assistance to village health committees in matters of environment health and endemic disease control, are suggested as an interim measure for strengthening village social structures in preparation for the eventual emergence of village health workers. The effectiveness of the model is reflected in the multiplier effect on the number of organized villages, the diffusion of the model to other parts of the Cameroun, and the impact on policy-making. The efficiency of the model, however, may be limited by such questions as budget for transport and per diem expenses and more seriously the limitation on training facilities. A deliberate allocation of budget to overcoming these obstacles is suggested as important to bringing the advantages of the model to the entire rural population.