TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24867, 6 May 1946, Page 4

TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS

HOSPITAL BOARDS’ OBLIGATIONS

FAILURE ALLEGED BY MINISTER

(P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, May 5. Strong criticism of what he described as the hospital boards’ failure to fulfil their obligations in the provision of suitable hospital and sanatorium facilities for sufferers from tuberculosis, was made by the Minister of Health (the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer) at the dedication of the Taranaki mobil? Xray unit at Waitara on Saturday. He was replying to comments, by representatives of the Maori tribes and other speakers that X-ray examinations and tuberculosis treatment were useless unless insanitary housing conditions were eliminated. It was of paramount importance that patients should receive adequate medical treatment, said the Minister. Housing was also an important factor, but' equally important was the provision of adequate hospital and sanatorium facilities. Tuberculosis wps not a new disease and there was a growing realisation in this country of the prevalence and danger of the complaint. “In my opinion the hospital boards have not done what they should have done to help combat this disease,” said Mr Nordmeyer. “The provision of these services is their statutory obligation. They have not faced up to it m every case.” In some areas, he added, notably in the south, hospital boards had combined to provide sanatoriums. This scheme had worked out so satisfactorily that when a person was found to be suffering from the disease it was not very long before a bed was found for him, along with specialist’s treatment. , “There is a shortage in parts of the country of some 1000 sanatorium and hospital beds for tuberculosis sufferers,” said the Minister. “That means there is a considerable leeway to be made up. I understand there is a project under way in this district but that some controversy exists about the site It is time a decision was made.”

While admitting all that had been said about the urgent need for proper housing for the Maori people, he contended that sanatorium treatment was an equally pressing demand. Mr G. P. Shepherd, Urtder-Secretary for Native Affairs, said he aimed at a target of 600 houses a year for the Maori- people. However, the housing plan had to be proportionate to the labour and materials available and his department was doing everything possible. “I hope we shall be able to reach our target shortly and thqn.l hope we shall be able to double it,” he said.