| The author briefly describes different categories of auxiliary health personnel and their utilization, citing examples from developing countries. Although titles and specific duties in community health vary from country to country, WHO (1961)has proposed four basic categories: medical assistant, assistant nurse, assistant midwife, and assistant health inspector. There exists within this framework, however, a whole range of multipurpose auxiliary workers whose duties overlap rigid boundaries but that emphasize certain components of community health work. To encourage effective utilization of these auxiliaries, the planners must: define the objectives of employing auxiliary personnel; establish a realistic and well-balanced job description; select candidates with the highest educational attainment that the local situation permits; devise a relevant training programme; encourage the health team concept; provide efficient supervision and guidance as well as adequate technical and referral facilities; and create an organized career structure. With well-defined objectives and careful, systematic planning, the auxiliary worker should prove an asset in comprehensive health care services. |