TREATMENT OF T.B.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 35, 22 December 1944, Page 5

TREATMENT OF T.B.

QUESTION OF CONTROL

SUGGESTED SPECIAL HOSPITALS

The question of controlling and if poslsible of eradicating the scurge of tuberculosis in this and other districts has been a vexed: problem which has long since worried the hospital authorities. A recent conference of hospital boards to consider the segregation of patients by the establishment of sipecial hospital centres —one in the Bay of Plenty—took place and was reported back to the Whakatane Hospital Board last week by Mr J. Mullins the delegate. Mr Mullins said that the. utmost concern was expressed by all boards represented and it was suggested that a 150-bcd hospital should be | constructed to serve the southern districts. In any case, it was the intention of the Auckland Board to proceed with its own T.B. hospital. In the event of the joint institution being built each hospital district would have the right to a certain number of beds pro rata to its population. Mr McGougan considered there was every indication that, the ease would spread and he questioned the size and accommodation of the proposed building 'as being sufficient to cope, with the demand. Mr McCrcady asked on what basis the allocation of beds would be made. On a basic population or on the T,B. population. Mr Mullins: As far as I can say it was on the recorded population of T.B. suspects. He added that he had endeavoured to deal with the question of prevention of education and of hygiene amongst the Maoris but, had not received a very friendly hearing. All the conference was interested in was whether or not the T.B. institution should be constructed. The question of the central position for the erection of the hospital Avould.be fixed when the board Avas first set up. The Chairman pointed out that it was for the Board to decide whether or not it would support, the scheme for a central T.B. hospital and if so to appoint delegates to attend the next meeting. As this does not. take place until February, it Avas decid« ed to hold the matter over for decision at the January meeting.