COOK ISLANDS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 48, 20 November 1930, Page 9

COOK ISLANDS

Medical Services PROGRESS OF WORK Commissioner’s Report Interesting information concerning the work of the Medical Department of the Cook Islands is contained in a recent report received by the Minister for the Cook Islands, Sir Apirana 'Ngata, from the Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. There is a well-equipped hospital with staff on the island of Rarotonga, bat the outer islands of the group, which are dispersed over a very wide expanse of ocean, are a much more difficult medical problem and entail long journeys by the medical officers in schooners, sometimes involving an absence from headquarters of several months. During the past few years the islands have been practically freed from the lothsome disease of yaws, which has ceased to exist excepting in a sporadic form. Hookworm treatment throughout the group has reduced the incidence of this disease from some 70 per cent, of the population to a very minor degree. Filariasis and elephantiasis, which are contracted through the bite of the mosquito known as Stegonyia pseudoscutellaris, are diseases much more difficult to cope with and are especially prevalent, some hideous sights being seen, principally among the older inhabitants. Treatment of Lepers. Since the removal of the last of the Cook Island lepers to the Island of Makogai. Fiji, there have been several further eases discovered, principally in the northern island of Penrhyn, but these are receiving treatment locally by a chaulmoogra derivative until an opportunity can be made to transport them to Makogai. A district nurse is permanently stationed on the island of Aitutaki and also one on the island of Mangaia, and they continue to do a very fine work among the people of their respective islands. Two specially selected Maori, boys have been in training at the Central Medical School, Suva. At the end of next year they should qualify as native medical practitioners and they will return to the group to assist in the work principally. of the outer islands. Reversion to Native Diet. The low price of copra has affected the people particularly of the northern group, who depend on this almost solely for their income. These.islands are small and have a very infrequent steamer connection, and are therefore practically non-revenue producing. The result'of the low price of copra has been a reduction in the purchasing power of the people, and less European food has been bought at the local stores. This, according to the report of the chief medical officer, does not appear to have had any ill-effects on the people, who are , reverting more to their native diet.