TUBERCULOSIS WORK

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28950, 18 July 1959, Page 15

TUBERCULOSIS WORK

“Continued Need For Help”

The view is sometimes expressed by those not closely connected with tuberculosis work that the need for help must now be diminishing with the improved methods of case finding and treatment.

This view Is not held by the association, which is conscious of the large “pool” of former tuberculosis persons In the community who, although discharged from the Sanatorium, still remain in a dependent state and whose earnings are affected by tuberculosis for a considerable period, says the president of the Canterbury and West Coast Tuberculosis Association (Dr W. Gordon Rich) in his report to be presented at the association's annual meeting on July 27. He says the continued need for help is shown not only by the increase in the amount spent during the year in direct help, but also in the pattern of applications which are now coming predominantly from former patients and not as formerly from patients in the Sanatorium. “Last year we spent £l4OB on direct help including £l4O spent by the Sanatorium service committee,” he says. Most Heartening The position in New Zealand is most heartening, although there should be no relaxation of efforts, says, Dr Rich. “A visit to Cashmere Sanatorium today is very heartening compared to the position a few years ago. There is a considerable decrease in the number of patients, a position which has been brought about by the intensive attack on tuberculosis in this country, the success of anti-tubercular drugs and last, but not least, the great advances made in chest surgery. In this respect sterling work has been done in the small operating theatre at Coronation Hospital established by the North Canterbury Hospital Board a few years ago,” he says. The actual ndtification rate of new cases is dropping and new cases come at .a much earlier stage of the disease than previously for treatment Even so a stay of from six to nine months in the Sanatorium is usually necessary and it is here that the Tuberculosis Associations find their main sphere of usefulness. In spite of the increased Social Security tuberculosis benefits, families frequently find themselves in need of assistance when the bread-winner has to go to the Sanatorium and the family income is reduced in consequence, says Dr Rich.