| The Central African Republic plans to open a school for medical assistants as part of its 197 1-75 Five Year Plan. It is hoped that this will reduce the number of cases now being referred to urban hospitals and allow them to be treated locally. The medical assistant will be expected to lead a preventive-curative team of local level workers. A 4-year training programme is proposed, with heavy emphasis on in-service training and later field experience. It is not intended that the eventually become a physician, but he may expect to retire at a level of income and benefits equivalent to that of a doctor at mid-career. The school of medical assistants is to be associated with the Institute of Medico-Social Education and Public Health. |