Dear CHIFA members, below is a message from CHIFA member Massimo Serventi. This is a longstanding and critical issue that remains unresolved. I look forward to your comments.
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Buongiorno Neil, my health is good.
It could be a worth exercise to obtain from HIFA/CHIFA members the percentage of patients leaving an ambulatory(any) with an antibiotic prescribed in their countries. This datum is 84% in under fives in Tanzania(Kilimanjaro), in both private or public settings, with or without laboratory.
The system of having a pharmacy in the same setting where drugs and lab tests are prescribed is more and more spread out.
More drugs and tests prescribed mean more profit and therefore better salary for the doctor. Leaders are aware of this trend...
I also write that WHO never indicated a threshold of antibiotics prescribed, they infer that 'somehow 20%' is the correct percentage, under any circumstances.
Have a nice day
Massimo
If you like do report my observations in HIFA.
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CHIFA profile: Massimo Serventi is a long-standing Pediatrician working in Africa since 1982. He has worked for several NGOs in 6 African/2 Asian countries. His interests include clinical and community pediatrics, adherence to clinical guidelines and school education as the major determinant of good health. massimoser20 AT gmail.com
Neil Pakenham-Walsh, HIFA Coordinator, neil@hifa.org www.hifa.org
