HEALTH PROBLEMS OF SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS

Chronicle (Levin), 2 December 1947, Page 7

HEALTH PROBLEMS OF SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS

WELLINGTON, Dec. 1. Tlie Minister of Health, Miss Howard, aunounced today that the Governnient has approved proposals jiut forward by the Medical Ttesearch Gouucil through the Department of Health, for tlie iuauguration of organised medical researeh in tho i.slanil tcrritories admiuistered bv New Zealnnd. Miss Howard. stated that the councii had pointed out that there are geographical as well as other reasons for New Zealand undertaking the study of medical problems of the South Pacific. Researeh uork is needed to supjilement tlie health serviees of tlie area and to stimulate interest iu tropical mediciiie an'tl hygiene in Now Zealand. The Medical Researeh Councii proposes to establish a researeh conunittee to take eliarge of these particular researeh activities. The conunittee .will lie presided over by Dr. Rltchie, Director-General of Health, aud will consist of jirofessional meu I who have had tropical experience. Thc laboratory at the Medical School iu Dunedin will be reserved for the usc of the conunittee. There will also be .-•upplied tlie necessary ajiparatus, referetice I :oo ks, etc., requirod. It is proposed that a preliminary survey shall be made by au expcdition to take plaee during the comiug summer vacation. Tlie persounel of this expeditiou will be drawn from researen u iu kers and tlie teachiug staft' at the Medical School. The aims of the proposed expeditiou will lie: — (1) To makc a record of couditions in the islands and iu particular to praduce a photograpliie record, including a Hiin.m. film which will be of use for teaching and pubilicity purtioses atul will stihiulate interest among researeh workers and medical students in tlie health problems of tlie islaud 1 erritories. (2) To survey the incidence of such disease as inf'eetious liepatitis, tubereulosis, vaws, filariasis, tinea inf'eetious, espeeiallv tinea inibricata (Tokelau ringwonn), hookwonn, dental carics. (3) To make recommendations to the conunittee regarding the most promising subjects for future researeh aiifl addifional facilities needed to make continued researcli work elTeetive. ~ «