THE WHITE SCOURGE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12623, 7 December 1926, Page 7

THE WHITE SCOURGE

NATIONAL TREATMENT GOVERNMENT IS UNLIKELY TO MOVE LOCAL RESPONSIBILITY The Government is unlikely to move in the direction of establishing a national scheme for the treatment of tuberculosis. Recently a suggestion of Dr. Blackmore, the well-known tubercular specialist,was taken up by Dr. Falconer, who urged upon the Dunedin Hospital Board the desirability of pooling the cost of treatment in sanatoria and of having this met by a special Dominionwide rate. The policy of the Government in the matter is set out in the Hospitals Act, which was consolidated last session. It is that treatment of chronic cases of tuberculosis is the responsibility of each individual hospital board just as much as treatment of any other disease. There are, it is true, certain sanatoria which are operated by the State, notably the Pukeora Sanatorium which is administered by the Health Department, but this was established at the close of the war for the treatment of soldiers who had contracted lung trouble while ou service. It has-been continued since, and skill contains a number of soldier patients. Other sanatoria, such as Cashmere Hills, and Waipiata institutions sire maintained by Hospital Boards, all of which receive a Government subsidy as a matter of course in recognition of their treatment of disease. In the case of Pukeora the financing of. patients _ is entirely in the hands of the Hospital Boards concerned. Th-&y have to pay the cost of maintenanoe to the Health Department, and collect what money they can from the patiients themselves. THE REAL PURPOSE The Minister far Health (Hon. J. A. Young) has stated tba;t the purpose of sanatoria is to educate the inmate, and these institutions axe not intended for the treatment of chAviic cases. Fronj what ca,n be learned in wellinformed circles it is clear that, the Government sees no reaiaon why it should put the treatment of tuberculosis on a national basis any more than the treatment of any other dirsease. It is likely to do so with any disease only in a time of national emergency and epidemic. Further, the arrangements proposed for the financing of the scheme are considered to be to meet with any success, and it is pointed out that if the Hospital Boards desire to levy a rate themselves the necessary machinery is in existence without them going to the Government.