The contents of IEHK 2006 are based on epidemiological data, population profiles, disease patterns and certain assumptions based on experience gained in emergency situations. These assumptions are:

♦ The most peripheral level of the health care system will be staffed by health care workers with limited medical training, who will treat symptoms rather than diagnosed diseases using the basic units, and refer patients who need more specialized treatment to the next level.

♦ Half of the population is under 15 years of age.

♦ The average number of patients presenting themselves with the more common symptoms or diseases can be predicted.

♦Standard treatment guidelines will be used to treat these symptoms or diseases.

♦The rate of referral from the most peripheral to the next level of health services is 10%.

♦ The first referral level of health care is staffed by experienced nurses, midwives, medical assistants or physicians, with no or limited facilities for inpatient care. They will use the supplementary unit in conjunction with one or more basic units.

♦ If both the most peripheral and first referral health care facilities are within reasonable reach of the target population, every individual will, on average, visit such facilities four times per year for advice or treatment. The supplies in the kit therefore serve a population of 10,000 people for a period of approximately 3 months.