Abstract

AbstractIt is now well recognized that worldvide population stabilization must be achieved because of the economic and ecologic dangers. Based on this premise, but being alert to the unique aspects of family planning as it relates to blocks, health professionals from several black African nations, two predominantly black institutions, and the United States Agency for International Development have joined in a common training effort to prepare personnel to meet this challenge. This effort involves education of both the provider and the consumer of health care. Fortunately, the environment that is required for training also guarantees first-rate, comprehensive health care for patients. Parenthetically, our future educational efforts are properly dependent upon the availability of adequate clinical outlets such as those at the John Andrew Memorial Hospital in Tuskegee, Ala. The performance of these health professionals has been outstanding, and we are certain that their skill will be further demonstrated when a subsequent site visit to Kenya is conducted. Perhaps with the exception of the United States and Canada, the importance of the extended role of the professional nurse is well recognized and appreciated. The level of maternal and child health in this country falls below that of many countries which make full use of the nurse practitioner. The implications for the United States should be clear.