MAORI HEALTH

Evening Star, Issue 22620, 12 April 1937, Page 2

MAORI HEALTH

DIFFICULT WORK IN NORTH AUCKLAND RAVAGES OF PUERPERAL SEPSIS [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 11. “ Contrary to popular belief, puerperal sepsis levies heavy toll on the Native mother. It is the biggest single cause of death among Maori women, but among European women it is the lowest,” said Dr D. G. M'Millan, M.P., chairman of the Maternity Services Investigation Committee, which has just returned from a tour of inspection in the North Auckland district. Dr M'Millan paid a tribute to the work of the nurses and of Dr Cook, the medical officer of health in the Whangarei district. During its visit to the North Auckland district, Dr M'Millan said, the committee had gathered a fund of valuable information, but it obviously had not the opportunity of formulating any collective conclusions. The impressions left in his own mind were the patience, enthusiasm, and constructive ability of Dr Cook, who was doing great work among the Natives.

“ Secondly, I must pay tribute to the nurses who are working among the Maoris,” said Dr M'Millan. '‘The people of New Zealand have no conception of the wonderful work that is being carried on by those girls under the most exacting circumstances. If the history of nursing and medical services in northern rural areas ever conies to be written, it will be an epic of heroism and strength of character worthy of the best traditions of any country.” ' The urgent need of the Maoris in that district was adequate housing, including facilities for the storing and heating of water. Until that was done little could be accomplished in social, economic, or medical spheres. “ One must admire the fortitude of the Maori women under the most hopeless conditions of overcrowding jn poor, decrepit, primitive dwellings,” said Dr M'Millan. ‘‘ On the medical side tuberculosis is the biggest, problem, and one cannot but be affected by the sight of young Native children with advanced chest infections, and with painful, infected, and deformed joints, in many cases their only medical attention being the periodical visits of the nurse. In its determination to place the Maori people upon a healthy, useful, and productive footing, the Government has certainly taken on a man-sized job.”