CONTROL OF MAORI T.B.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 64, 13 April 1945, Page 4

CONTROL OF MAORI T.B.

Sir ? —l have read in your paper with considerable interest the vari-* ous suggestions which have been put forward for controlling the ravages of tuberculosis amongst the Maori people. I note, also the large expen- ' diture which your Hospital Board ; is apparently prepared to make for the erection of. a sanatorium to serve the South Auckland areas. This is all very fine to my but as a member of. the race which ■it is intended to safeguard by all this heavy financial outlay, may I be privileged to make a few pointed statements based upon observations of my own. In my humble the medical authorities of this country are basing their actions more upon the cure than upon the prevention of the disease. In order to discover the causes of. the high centage of tubercular patients amongst the Maori people, it is only necessary to make a survey of the abominable housing conditions which they are forced to put up with together with the complete lack of hygienic appurtenances and facilities. What the Maori of. New Zealand needs in order to overcome T.B. is not the' construction of imposing sanatoriums and institutions; it is rather community education along sound hygienic with Government officers to enforce cleanliness and proper sewerage, and decently lighted, air-condition-ed homes. What is the good of endeavouring to cure our people by careful nursing in hospitals if when they are discharged they are immediately sent back, to the conditions which gave them the disease in* the; first place ? My plea is for better housing for the Maoris and enforced hygienic conditions of life. Yours etc. M. TATANA.