| The Christian Medical Commission considers that population concerns and community health are best tackled as one. Outlined here is a specific approach to community health through a programme of community self-awareness and participation in problem solving. Implementation of the programme begins with the selection of a hospital already practicing some form of community health activity and/or having trained personnel such as the initial staff(medical officers and community nurses). These personnel are oriented, through discussion, practical field work, and visits to community projects such as Koje Do (Korea)and Jamkhed (India), to assume responsibility for community health. Lower- level health workers are trained to make up the rest of the health team. Once the community has been selected, examined, and its problems defined, leaders (e.g., teachers, priests, retired servicemen, members of local government, etc.)are selected from the community to help assess priorities, provide further factual information, and discuss the best way of approaching community education. Meetings, organized by the community leaders, are to be held regularly. Constant programme evaluation and dialogue between the health team and the community leader are emphasized. |