X-ray equipment for routine investigations--the WHO Basic Radiological System.

In an attempt to increase the extent and quality of primary medical care, the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified one factor in the need for simple X-ray examinations at the primary health care level. Using modern technology, the WHO has devised an X-ray unit capable of functioning with an 'indifferent' electrical supply. Although simple to use, it is capable of producing excellent radiographs, covering 80% of the radiological examinations required in any hospital or clinic. The relatively low initial outlay for these units, together with their low installation and maintenance costs, makes them ideal for dealing with routine radiography not only in Third World countries but also in countries with more sophisticated medical systems where complex and expensive equipment is all too often unnecessarily used for simple examinations.