Population Explosion “Biggest Problem”

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31760, 17 August 1968, Page 2

Population Explosion “Biggest Problem”

'Birth control was the immediate answer ito the population explosion, the biggest problem in the world today, a distinguished medical woman from Scotland, Dr Mary .Esslemont, said in Christchurch yesterday.

It was not, however, the complete solution, she said.

“I think the more we can help overpopulated countries to introduce birth control ■the better, bat they must also be encouraged to improve food production and the people must he educated on health,” Dr Esslemont said.

•Dr Esslement Iras travelled widely, both as a member of the British Medical Association Council,and of the Soroptimist International Association. She has visited India, Hong Kong and other Asian countries, as well ;as Russia and countries of Africa. The great increase in world population was due partly to medical advances; people were being kept alive longer. “.When ll‘first visited India in 1927, the life of an averi.age Indian -woman was 27 years. It js-naw-#7 years;” Dr .Esslemont said. There were great -difficulties in .the overpopulated countries, but India, Pakistan and the colony of Hong Kong -were three which were doing ‘fa tremendous lot” to help themselves. “More Difficult” “South America .is a more difficult problem, because of religious .objections to artificial forms of birth ..control This area has probably the highest in (population anywhere in the world,” She said. “I believe we should .encourage our Governments ito support United Nations efforts Irfor these countries. VolunI tary contributions should be •' made to set up family plani ning (clinics in over-populated areas.” Dr Esslemont has observed such .clinics in Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Nigeria .and, to a lesser .extent. South America. She mentioned the “extraordinarily good work” tbeing done in Hong Kong. Social Conditions For many years a general practitioner .in Aberdeen, Dr .Esslemont has always taken a keen Interest in social conditions. Her grandfather, a former PrOvost of the city, also showed great consideration for Aberdonians and for .the welfare of the city. When Dr Esslemont retired .from her practice two years ago, the present Provost of Aberdeen organised a public, testimonial to her in the oily.

She graduated from Aber-. <deen University in arts, science and medicine in 1923. It was soon after the First' World War and women were .being encouraged to take up 1 medicine.

It was not easy to get top hospital posts, but Dr Esslejnont found no discrimination from men during her years

as a general practitioner. She has an honorary doctorate of laws and was awarded the C.B.E. for her services to medicine.

Brief Visit

Although She has retired from civil service, Dr Esslemont still does some Government work. She is in New Zealand for a brief visit, after attending -the International Medical Women’s meeting tin Vienna and a combined World And British Medical Association conference in Sydney.

Dr Esslemont is one of the few women on the council erf the BIM.A. and is in her second year as vice-president of the International Medical Women’s Association. She was

the 'first woman member of the Court of the University of Aberdeen And has been chairman of many women’s organisations.

Since 1929, she has been a member of the -Soroptimist .International Association, taking a leading part ‘in its affairs. A member and pastpresident of the Soroptimist Club of Aberdeen, she was, hi 1962, the .president of the federation of Great Britain and Ireland, to which soroptimists in Australia and New Zealand belong.

Dr Esslemont first visited New Zealand tn 1961. During her brief stay here the Soroptimist Club Of Christchurch will be her host. She ■will 'visit ‘Fiji, Tahiti, Mexico and (Bermuda, before returning home.