ABSTRACT
Microcomputers have made automation simpler, and health centers have grown larger and more sophisticated. Microcomputers therefore have a great potential to assist operations at PHC centers. The SIGUS project includes the construction of some different prototypes of increasing complexity and sizes, from a simple microcomputer to a minicomputer that supports multiuse and multiprocessing. Experience gained with SIGUS has indicated areas that need more work; these areas will be dealt with in a post-SIGUS project. The SIGUS project was undertaken to make microcomputers serve the needs of primary health care administrators and, more importantly, to help direct providers like physicians and nurses. It provides the former with good operations monitoring and control and the latter with a population-based health information file and powerful data base management. Health administrators analyze data to assess community health needs, the performance of health services, and the outcome of health center activities.
