HEALTH OF MAORIS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 78, 29 September 1930, Page 11

HEALTH OF MAORIS

DECEEASING DEATH BATE

IMPROVED OUTLOOK

Althougli tho Maori death rate for last year was. 13.73 per .1.000 of mean population as compared with the Now Zealand general death rate of 8.73, '■'■■".

figure as regards the. Maori death rate was. the lowest fp.r. the last ten years. The decrease in the. Maori death rate last, year was 3.55, a most gratifying reduction. ' . . . .

Tho Division of Maori" Hygiene of the Department of Health is'at present devoting special' attention .to the maternal, infantile, and tubercular death rates; which, /unfortunately, compare unfavourably with the New Zealand rates. The 'Maori'maternal death rate h 5.87: per 1000 ;]ive births, as compared with'thf; --New-Zealand rate 'of 4.7-1. Dr. E. P. ■Ellison;; Director of Maori Hygiene, states 'that maternal deaths frornjeptieaemia comprise a very small part of the-total --maternal deaths. It is hoped to reduce the maternal death rate materiallyl by educative means, ■mainly with the aid of the medical and nursing staff and. by the ■distribution of pamphlets; in both English and Maori. The Maori'councils will also assist in this work'; The circular '/states, in .part:—. ' : ■■■ - • ■ ■ "The • maternal'- ' mortality' rate amongst', the: Maori population of New Zealand is found to have been-consis-tently higher than the paKehaa-ate over the last ten years, a condition which ia •shown-"by', the. graph which is enclosed together "with a 'circular-to Maori councils calling their attention"to this condition and to the'desirability of taking action to improve-the position. "The Deputy Director-General of Health desires that every effort should be made by the'officers of this Department in the direction of improving midwifery prae'tides ' amongst the Maoris. He points out that ;it is undesirable to attempt .to interfere too drastically .with. Maori' customs regarding midwifery attendance until more-accurate-k nowledge has been obtained as to', their .' bearing upon the high maternal mortality rate. He also points out that it is practically impossible, to. enforce the Mid, wives Act among the • Maoris at present.' ■; ■' ' "It is desired that all district nurses to Maoris should give their very best and most earnest attention and endeavour to obtain accurate,-information in all,cases of maternal deaths or illnesses following maternity. When this has, been obtained it. will bo'possible to. indicate more clearly what action should be taken." . : .It should bo borne in mind, however,1 states Dr. Ellison, that ■' sepsis is not an important factor in Maori maternal deaths, in fact, deaths from' sepsis arc rare. ",/-.' ' : :,' ■ ;'• INFANTILE DEATH RATE! ['■ • "With regard to- the Maori- infantilo ■ death rate, it'is-admitted-that the flg- .- ures are high. The rate is 75.52 per 1000 'live births, as against the New , Zealand rate of 34.10, which, as is well. . known, is the lowest in the world. It is pleasing, however, to note that the Maori infantile death rate showed a decrease of'-from 118.10 in'l92B to 75.52 in 1929. A similar drop occur- ' red in the previous year. It is, however, recognised by the Department that a further improvement, in the. figures can still bo shown.- A number of infant deaths-occur" from ayoidablo causes. • The deaths of Maori infants lii the first two months of life are lower than tho New Zealand rate. Most of the cleaths of Maori infante-occur between ■the age of- three .months , and twelve months. Respiratory diseases arc accountable for most of these;;deaths, and many of these cases must be attributed to ignorance and lack of maternal cs.ee. Dr. Ellison looks forward .to a further fall in the doath rate-as a result of the measures now being taken, _ The Maori birth rate as:33.uS per 1000 of the- mean population,,'as compared witiitheNew Zealand rato;of 19.09. In ■ view of tho decrease in the Maori general death rate,- the remarkable' fall m ' the infantile death rate, ..and tho steps' being taken to improve the maternity conditions, tho outlook of the health of the" Maori people,,in tho opinion cf Dr. Ellison,, .must ..be regarded, as. satisfactory. ■■;. ; ...■'.., ,'■ .' ' ■'■ .