PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

IMPORTANCE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE IN SINGAPORE

by Kenneth Kee 1991

A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science with a Major in Health Management and approved in 1991

ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION

Health care is divided into:

1.Primary Health Care (Government Outpatient Doctors, General Practitioners)

2.Secondary Health Care ( Specialist Doctors and Clinics)

3.Tertiary Health Care (Hospital Doctors and Institutional Clinics)

In the past, secondary and tertiary health care have always been the most important agenda in the Singapore Government Health Care Plan.

There has upgrading of specialist clinics and hospitals in Singapore.

In stark contrast the Primary Health Care sector has remained rather stagnant and even comparatively underdeveloped.

Perhaps this is because hospital and specialist health care carry a glamor about it unlike the Primary Health Care doctor who works in the community outsides the confines of the hospital setting.

It is therefore important that the Primary Health Care should be emphasized as the foundation of any good Health Care System.

Unlike the specialist and hospital medicine which represents only the tip of the iceberg of morbidity in a whole community, Primary Health Care covers the whole spectrum of undifferentiated illnesses with its continuing care and management of the whole person from infancy to death.

The WHO at the Alma Ata conference has adopted the objective of "Health For All" which is a rallying call to the international community to enable attainment by all the citizens of the world of a level of health that will permit them to lead a socially and economically productive life.

"Primary Health Care address the main health problems in the community providing promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services accordingly.Since these services reflect and evolve from the economic conditions and social values of the country and community but will include at least:
promotion of proper nutrition and adequate supply of safe water,
basic sanitation,
maternal and child care including family planning,
immunization against the major infectious illnesses.
prevention and control of local endemic diseases,
education concerning prevailing health problems and the methods of preventing and controlling them,
and appropriate treatment of common diseases and injuries."

REIKI

DOC WHAT IS REIKI

Reiki developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui is a form  of complementary and alternative medicine using palm healing to transfer healing energy in the form of ki through the palms.

There are two main forms of Reiki:
1.Traditional Japanese Reiki
2.Western Reiki.

Reiki teachings claim that Reiki is inexhaustible and that it can be used to induce a healing effect.

Within both forms of Reiki, there are three forms of degrees:
1.The first degree Reiki course teaches the basic theories and procedures.
Students learn hand placement positions on the recipient's body that are thought to be most conducive to the process in a whole body treatment.
Having completed the first degree course, a Reiki practitioner can then treat himself and others with Reiki.

2.In the second degree Reiki course, the student learns the use of a number of symbols that are said to enhance the strength and distance over which Reiki can be exerted.

Having completed the second level, the student can work without being physically present with the recipient - a practise known as distant healing.

Students in Japan sometimes only attained the Second Degree after a period of 10, sometimes 20, years of practice.

3.Through the third degree, or "master training", the student becomes a Reiki Master.
The new Reiki Master can attune other people to Reiki and teach the three degrees.
The duration of the master training can be anything from a day to a year or more, depending on the school and philosophy of the Reiki Master giving the training.

There are commonly two types of Master:
Master Teacher  -a Master Teacher is a Master of Reiki and also has the ability teach Reiki
Master Practitioner - Master Practitioner is a Master of Reiki but does not teach Reiki.

Practice
The seven major chakras.
A schematic diagram of the human body's meridians.

In Western Reiki, it is taught that Reiki works in conjunction with the meridian energy lines and chakras through the use of the hand-positions, which normally correspond to the seven major chakras on the body. These hand-positions are used both on the front and back of the body, and can include specific areas

Healing
The Reiki practitioner touched the diseased parts of the body, he massaged them, tapped them lightly, stroked them, blew on them, fixed his gaze upon them for two to three minutes, and specifically gave them energy, and used a technique commonly referred to as palm healing

Whole body treatment
The Reiki practitioner instructs the recipient to lie down, usually on a massage table, and relax. Loose, comfortable clothing is usually worn during the treatment.

The treatment proceeds with the practitioner placing the hands on the recipient in various positions.
However, practitioners may use a non-touching technique, where the hands are held a few centimetres away from the recipient's body for some or all of the positions.
The hands are usually kept in a position for three to five minutes before moving to the next position.
Overall, the hand positions usually give a general coverage of the head, the front and back of the torso, the knees, and feet.
Between 12 and 20 positions are used, with the whole treatment lasting anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes.

Many Western practitioners use a common fixed set of 12 hand positions,

The use of the 12 hand positions energise on many levels by,

1.physical level through the warmth of the hands,
2.mental level through the use of the Reiki symbols,
3.emotional level through the love that flows with the use of the symbols,
4.energetic level though the presence of the Reiki practitioner as well as the Reiki power itself.

The recipient often feels warmth or tingling in the area being treated, even when a non-touching approach is being used.

A state of deep relaxation, combined with a general feeling of well-being, is usually the most common immediate effect of the treatment although emotional releases do occur.

The Reiki treatment is believed to stimulate the body's natural healing processes.

In a 2008 systematic review of randomised clinical trials assessing the evidence basis of Reiki,there is no proof Reiki had been effective for any condition.

SEXUAL HEALTH

DOC WHAT IS SEXUAL HEALTH?

Sex is the need for intimacy ,affection and emotional bond between a man and woman.

It is not just a physical relationship between 2 persons but an emotional tie between the two people called love.

A person's hunger for affection, intimacy, and emotional bond with another person is limitless.

Sexual health refers not only to reproductive sex and organs, but also the physical, emotional and social aspects of the sex act.

It is important to have a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships.

Any couple who has sexual health also feels well emotionally, mentally and socially when talking about sexual matters.

Here are some ways to achieve sexual health:

1. Understand sexuality

Sexuality is defined by the attitudes and values of a couple regarding sexual matters.

It represents a range of issues - from sexual thoughts and actions, to gender identity and roles.

Many factors,from biological,economic,and psychological factors, to social, ethical and religious ones.make up the complete entity of sexual attraction between a couple.

2. Understand that every one have sexual rights

The laws protect every person against sexual violations and discrimination.

Every person have the right to choose whether to be sexually active or not, and  have control over whom he/she wish to have sex with and how it is done.

3. Understand the partner’s sexuality

Because everyone is different, he/she have attitudes, feelings and desires that are different from his/her partner.

Once both partners understand and respect each other’s sexuality, he or she can improve their sexual health and pleasure.

It is therefore important to communicate each person's views to his or her partner and vice versa.

Once a person share what he or she is comfortable with and what he or she want in sex, they are both better prepared for sex.

4. Develop a healthy self-esteem for each other

A healthy self-esteem means to feel good about each other and be comfortable with whom each other are.

If every partner in a sexual relationship have a healthy self-esteem, the acceptance and enjoyment in each other’s presence is increased.

On the other hand, poor self-esteem often leads to unhealthy or even abusive relationships.

5.Always practice safe sex

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are contracted during unprotected sex and their symptoms vary widely.

The risk of contactiing STI is by practising safe sex, through the use of condoms.

Condoms however do not offer 100% protection so the best option is for a couple to be in a monogamous and faithful relationship.

With no fear of contracting STIs, the couple can relax and enjoy a pleasurable, healthy sexual relationship.

Some common STIs are:

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS

Chlamydia

Gonorrhoea

Herpes

Syphilis

Genital warts

It is important to treat STIs early to reduce complications and stop the spread of infection to others. Some STIs can be cured, while for AIDS, there is no cure.

6. Reproductive health is part of sexual health

Sexual health includes being able to have children, and planning when to have them.

Checkups on reproductive health means a regular visit to the gynaecologist.

Family planning is important so that the couple will never have to deal with an unwanted pregnancy or about passing an infection to the child.

7. Children should be educated about sexual health

There has been an increase in cases of teenage sex in the past few years.

This has resulted in a rise in unwanted pregnancies, abortions and STIs.

Being a parent it is important to keep the children safe from such consequences by educating them on sexual health.

It is important to start when they are young and just beginning to form their values and attitudes towards sex.

In summary, to be in good sexual health, the couple must pay attention not only to physical health.

Mental, emotional, spiritual and sexual health are equally important to achieve overall sexual health.

ANGER MANAGEMENT

DOC HOW DO I MANAGE MY ANGER

Anger is an emotion which is experienced by kids and adults alike as a normal response to interference by others in a negative manner.
Anger is a normal response to such a situation.

Anger can be classed as a mild or intense irritation.
It depends on the individual, the circumstance and their emotions.
1.Some people tend to keep their anger to themselves, bottling up their negative emotions and hurt.
2.Others lash out or become extremely defensive and even abusive.

Anger may be a healthy, normal emotion.
Regular episodes of angry or reckless behavior in a person can a problem, one that needs to be dealt with.
Anger can be also intense to the point of violence.
However when the anger takes over an individual's life, it can making them destructive to themselves and everyone around them. 

Controlling anger is considered anger management.
1.Most important to controlling anger is to admit there is a problem.
2.people who have major anger issues cannot see it.
3.They will continue down a path where they are constantly angry
4.Anger prevents them from seeking the help they require
5.The angry individual will likely experience loss of their family, their job and their own identity.
 
Anger management is designed to :
1.help the individual work out their problems,
2.help them figure out why they become so angry.
3.teach the person techniques which prevent them from getting angry as often or for very long.
4.help them have a better quality of life and live a healthy, normal life..

Anger management strategies are programs created specifically to help those with anger issues.
These programs address different people, kids, teens, adults, couples and families.
These programs are there to teach or help people to work on their anger.
Teaching people strategies to work out their problems and control their anger is important in anger management.
Every program is intended to help people who are hot-tempered and frequently have fits of rage.
Anger management strategies are designed to help an individual return to a healthy, normal existence.

1.Taking a time-out is considered a healthy management strategy.
Removing oneself from a situation or person that makes a person angry is practicing time-out.
This anger management strategy might simply require a ride in the car or a walk on the beach.
Playing sports or working out will help an individual to use up some of the extra energy without involving
Some other suggestions for time-out are reading, listening to music or sitting alone in silence.
Each of these activities are healthy anger management strategies.

2.A second example of a healthy anger management strategy is owning up to the anger.
Although the anger is usually brought on by an irritating situation or a confrontation with another individual, the anger actually belongs to the troubled person.
Only the person who's experiencing the anger issues can control their fits of rage.
He mustlearn anger management strategies and how to deal with his emotions in a healthy way.
When an individual becomes mad or upset he or she need to try to disclose the reasons for the anger whether it is hurt, fear, frustration sadness, confusion , jealousy or whatever seems to bring unleash the rage.

3.Another healthy anger management strategy is to look back on those situations that upset an individual and try to find ways to make changes.
Learning the cause of the anger may help the individual to avoid those situations.
Not only might the person learn to avoid these incidents but they might also choose to take what they've learned and attempt to deal with the situation without bursting into a frenzy.

4.A fourth suggestion regarding healthy management strategies is to confront the situation or person.
Talk to the person or people involved, calmly of course, to try to determine the root of the problem.
The angry individual might actually discover that the whole thing was a mix-up, a misunderstanding.
The individual might also try asking the person or people in the situation to think about their behavior and perhaps even change it.
It may be surprising what people would be willing to do to help the person who is attempting to deal with their problems with anger.
Hopefully everything will work out for the best.
If not there has to be room for acceptance.
Sometimes a person must simply accept the situations and people they cannot change and either deal with it or walk away.

Learning healthy anger management strategies should be considered by those with anger problems.