March 14th, 2011 : By Sarah Arnquist
How can malaria be better diagnosed in primary care settings?
That question is being discussed in GHDonline’s malaria community, a virtual platform for global health experts. I thought this response from Dr. Constance Bart-Plange, Ghana’s National Malaria Control Program Manager, was particularly poignant and worth sharing. The comment speaks to the need for integrating disease programs to strengthen the overall health system, but it also speaks to the fact that many primary care doctors and nurses are stressed and overworked.
“Today, I was informed of the painful death of a young man, who is yet to marry. He was not feeling well and reported to a private hospital. His blood sample was taken and examined under microscope. as soon as malaria parasites were seen, the doctor did not bother to examine him IN TOTALITY to determine whether there are any other signs and symptoms.
He was treated for malaria but he was still unwell; he reported to another facility, and they again treated him for malaria (on admission). He died and postportem results showed he had internal bleeding, from a punctured spleen. He had been hit by a vehicle some weeks back, but this fact was overlooked! This is what is happening all around us; people are dying when they need not die. Some of our doctors and nurses have simply become “MALARIA DOCTORS.” They have become too lazy to take a full histotory and do thorough examination. It is really tragic!”
http://www.globalhealthhub.org/2011/03/14/diagnosing-malaria-in-primary-care/
How can malaria be better diagnosed in primary care settings?
That question is being discussed in GHDonline’s malaria community, a virtual platform for global health experts. I thought this response from Dr. Constance Bart-Plange, Ghana’s National Malaria Control Program Manager, was particularly poignant and worth sharing. The comment speaks to the need for integrating disease programs to strengthen the overall health system, but it also speaks to the fact that many primary care doctors and nurses are stressed and overworked.
“Today, I was informed of the painful death of a young man, who is yet to marry. He was not feeling well and reported to a private hospital. His blood sample was taken and examined under microscope. as soon as malaria parasites were seen, the doctor did not bother to examine him IN TOTALITY to determine whether there are any other signs and symptoms.
He was treated for malaria but he was still unwell; he reported to another facility, and they again treated him for malaria (on admission). He died and postportem results showed he had internal bleeding, from a punctured spleen. He had been hit by a vehicle some weeks back, but this fact was overlooked! This is what is happening all around us; people are dying when they need not die. Some of our doctors and nurses have simply become “MALARIA DOCTORS.” They have become too lazy to take a full histotory and do thorough examination. It is really tragic!”
http://www.globalhealthhub.org/2011/03/14/diagnosing-malaria-in-primary-care/
No comments:
Post a Comment