MAORI HEALTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1931, Page 23

MAORI HEALTH.

HIGH MORTALITY RATE SIX-YEAR PERIOD FIGURES. MATERNAL AND INFANTILE DEATHS. A remarkably high percentage of deaths amongst Maori babies and mothers during the past six years, as compared with Europeans, is disclosed in statistical data submitted to the Akarana Maori Association, which has taken the opportunity to advise the Health Department that the position revealed is very disappointing, the increased mortality last year confirming the contention that the abolition of the special function of the Maori hygiene branch was ill-advised.

The European infantile mortality rate for the past six years has not exceeded 40 per thousand live births, but the Maori mortality is shown to have been more than twice as great. In 1927 it was nearly four times greater than the general New Zealand rate. The improvement of 1928 and 1929 was not maintained last year, when the rate rose from 78.97 to 88.51 per thousand live births.

The cause-group cases are placed in four major divisions, a fifth being allocated to general causes. Respiratory diseases caused most deaths.

Influenza, whooping cough, tuberculosis (pulmonary), bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia and other diseases of the chest are included under the heading of respiratory diseases. Ailmentary disorders, such as dysentery, diarrhoea, and other maladies of the stomach are next in order of importance. By far the greater number of deaths from respiratory and ailmentary causes occurs after the third month of life. The Department is hoping for a great improvement by educating Maori mothers in the proper feeding and clothing of infants. Reductions in the numbers of deaths from congenital debility and prematurity can only be brought about by ante-natal and post-natal advice. After reference to general causes, including infectious diseases and convulsions, the opinion is expressed by the Health Department that the general trend of Maori infantile mortality seems to be downward, and the Department hopes to confirm this next year. The Akarana Maori Association iias considered these reports, but holds out little hope for any marked improvement while the present inadequate provision for Maori hygiene continues. It says that since the disestablishment of that special branch, now absorbed in the general activities of the Department, in spite of the good work being attempted by district nurses, their districts are far too large and scattered to enable them to attend systematically to the needs of the natives beyond superficial inspection. The closing of the Maori hygiene branch was for that reason a retrograde step and false economy, confirmed by the high mortality rate readied since amongst Maori mothers and children.