MEDICAL SERVICE AT COOK ISLANDS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21320, 13 November 1934, Page 13

MEDICAL SERVICE AT COOK ISLANDS

COMPLAINT BY VISITOR TO AVELLINGTON ITIIE PRESS Special Service] WELLINGTON, November 12. The present position of the general medical service in the Cook Islands was the subject on which Mr W.' G. Kingsbury spoke emphatically when interviewed on his arrival in Wellington to-day from the Islands by the Maunganui. He said there was now only one doctor there, whereas there should be at least three. "I feel deeply about the lack of medical attention in the group," Mr Kingsbury said. "Until recently there were two doctors there, but now that Dr. McKnight has left there is only Dr. Ellison to practise in the Northern and Southern Groups, as well as Rarotonga itself. To mention only one item of sickness that might need his attention, there are frequent outbreaks of influenza in the Islands. A nurse is stationed at Aitutaki, but there are no nurses on the other islands in the group. "I have been in the Cook Islands for more than 12 years now, and there has never been sufficient medical attention there," Mr Kingsbury concluded.