HEALTH PROBLEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26633, 2 December 1947, Page 6

HEALTH PROBLEMS

SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS INVESTIGATION BY MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL P.A. WELLINGTON, Dec. 1. The Minister of Health, Miss Howard, annbunced to-day that the Government has approved proposals put forward by the Medical Research Council through the Department of Health for the inauguration of organised medical research in Island territories administered by New Zealand. Miss Howard stated that the council had pointed out that there are geographical as well as other reasons for New Zealand undertaking a study of medical problems of the South Pacific. Research work is needed to supplement the health services of the area and to stimulate interest in tropical medicine and hygiene in New Zealand. The Medical Research Council proposes to establish a Research Committee to take charge of these par-

ticular research activities. The committee will be presided over by Dr Ritchie, Director-general of Health, and will consist of professional men who have had tropical experience.

A laboratory at the Medical School in Dunedin will be reserved for the use of the committee, and there will also be supplied the necessary apparatus, reference books, etc., required.

It is proposed that a preliminary survey shall be made by an expedition to take place during the coming summer vacation. The personnel of this expedition will be drawn from research workers and the teaching staff at the Medical School. The aims of the proposed expedition will be—(1) To make a record of the conditions in the Islands and in particular to produce a photographic record, including a 16 m.m. movie film, which will be of use for teaching and publicity purposes and will stimulate interest among research workers and medical students in the health problems of the Island territories; (2) to survey the incidence of such diseases as infectious hepatitis, tuberculosis, yaws, filariasis, tinea infections, especially tinea imbricata (tokelau ringworm), hookworm and dental caries; (3) to make recommendations to the committee regarding the most promising subjects for future research and the additional facilities needed to make continued research work effective.