“Must Consider Problem In Relation To Fiji”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29237, 22 June 1960, Page 20

“Must Consider Problem In Relation To Fiji”

"Fiji must consider the problem of segregation in relations to conditions existing in Fiji, and not in relation to conditions existing in other countries,” says the Medical Department of Fiji, in reply to the above letter.

There could be out-patient treatment of leprosy only where there was a standard of housing, education, and mental discipline to observe the rules of hygiene, which the majority of people in Fiji had not yet attained, the department says. “There is naturally sympathy for any person who is unfortunate enough to contract a disease such as leprosy, which is slow to develop, is prolonged in its course, and requires protracted treatment,” the department says. “But sympathy for the individual must not blind people to the wider consideration of the wellbeing of the community as a whole. Nor must the matter of cost —in this case about £70,000 a year. “The medical authorities in Fiji are well aware of the progress made in the treatment of leprosy, and the methods of Makogai are as modern as anywhere else in the world," the department says. “As stated in- our reply published on April 26, leprosy, can be treated on an out-patient basis where the problem is so vast that segregation is impossible, or where it is so small that patients can easily be supervised in their own homes. In addition, there can be out-patient treatment only where there is a standard of housing, education, and mental discipline to observe the rules of hygiene, which the majority of people in Fiji have not yet attained.

“The patient quotes examples of other countries. In each case, the problem differs from that of Fiji. Indonesia, for instance, has about 100,000 cases of leprosy, according to a recent World Health Organisation chronicle. French West Africa has 500,000 cases, and French Equatorial Africa about 150.000. Fiji has about 300 cases. Obviously, conditions in highlyadvanced countries such as the United States, Australia, and Japan are not comparable with conditions in Fiji. • “The patient says that compulsory segregation drives the disease underground, and supports this by contending that almost every new patient arriving at Makogai is advanced in the disease,” the department says. “The fact is that in 1959, almost 50 per cent, of new patients arrived at Makogai while the diaeau waa In ita early stages.

“Nor. is it true to say that patients at Makogai ‘eat their hearts out.’ Every effort is made to encourage the patients to live as normal a life as passible to reduce the likelihood of their becoming ‘institutionalised.’ “Married couples admitted as paients are allowed to live together. Men and women unmarried patients meet both in the morning and evening. Every patient who is fit is employed in some useful fashion. Arts and crafts centres are always busy. There are flourishing Boy Scout, Girl Guide, and Wolf Cup groups. Soccer, cricket, basketball and other sports evoke keen interest. The fine work of the Lepers’ Trust Board, and donations by generous individuals, both In Fiji and New Zealand, provide additional amenities and comforts for the patients. The staff are devoted people. “All this helps to provide an atmosphere in Makogai of hope, and not of despair—as most visitors to the island will testify,” the department says.