Where There Is No Doctor 2011 337
Medicine
Local brand
Price
FOR SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS AND SEVERE ASTHMA:
6. Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
injections, ampules with 1 mg.
Amount Page
5–10
385
FOR ASTHMA:
7. Salbutamol, rescue inhaler
1 384
FOR SEVERE BLEEDING AFTER CHILDBIRTH:
8. Ergonovine, injections
or tablets of 0.2 mg.
6–12
390
OTHER MEDICINES NEEDED IN MANY BUT NOT ALL AREAS
WHERE DRY EYES (XEROPHTHALMIA) IS A PROBLEM:
Vitamin A, 200,000 U. capsules
10–100
WHERE TETANUS IS A PROBLEM:
Tetanus antitoxin, 50,000 units
(Lyophilized if possible)
2–4
bottles
WHERE SNAKEBITE OR SCORPION STING IS A PROBLEM:
Specific antivenom
2–6
WHERE MALARIA IS A PROBLEM:
Artemisin-based combination
therapy, or whatever medicines
50–200
are recommended in your area.
TO PREVENT OR TREAT BLEEDING IN UNDERWEIGHT NEWBORNS:
Vitamin K, injections of 1 mg.
3–6
391
388
387
363-
367
392
MEDICINES FOR CHRONIC DISEASES
It may or may not be wise to have medicines for chronic diseases such as
tuberculosis, leprosy, and schistosomiasis in the Village Medicine Kit. To be sure
a person has one of these diseases, often special tests must be made in a health
center, where the necessary medicine can usually be obtained. Whether these and
other medicines are included in the village medical supplies will depend on the local
situation and the medical ability of those responsible.
VACCINES
Vaccines have not been included in the Village Medicine Kit because they
are usually provided by the Health Department. However, a great effort should
be made to see that all children are vaccinated as soon as they are old enough
for the different vaccines (see p. 147). Therefore, if refrigeration is available,
vaccines should be part of the village medical supplies—especially the DPT, polio,
tuberculosis, and measles vaccines.