Group Occupational Health Service in a Developing Country

Abstract

Summary: In 1967 an experiment of 11 group occupational health service was set up in Dar es Salaam to provide direct service to industrial firms. Target companies were visited by a doctor, smaller firm in rotation by auxiliaries. After three years 65 communities had joined with over 15,000 employees, and workers were attending the group dispensaries at a rate of over 250,000 visits a year. Such an approach through direct service to the the working community appears to be more appropriate to a developing country than a purely advisory central occupational health unit.