INTEGRATED DISTRICT HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS-A REVIEW
Abstract
Integration has been defined in functional terms as aseries of operations concerned in essence with the
bringing together of otherwise independent
administrative structures, functions and mental
attitudes in such a way as to combine these into a
whole.
However, the expression integrated health services
has also been defined in organizational terms as those
services necessary for the health protection of people
residing in a given area and provided under a single
administrative unit, or under several agencies, with
proper provision for their coordination.'
Integrated care is an approach whereby health services
for a defined population, are financed and delivered
through an integrated system, to ensure access, equity
and quality of care, in a cost effective way, which is
modified by patients, professional and community
values.3
A district health system is the vehicle for providing
quality primary health care to everyone in a defined
geographical area. In this type of health care,
individual's communities and the health providers,
participate together in improving their own health.
Five important reasons for the introduction of such a
system are:
References
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