MATERNITY

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 June 1921, Page 2

MATERNITY

DOMINION’S DEATH-ROLL. “HURRIED MIDWIFERY.” (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 27. I There has been a great deal of di-3 mission lately on the figures published by the Children’s Bureau of the United States Department of Labour, which place New Zealand almost at the bottom of the list of nations in respftt to the -freedom from mortality of women in childbirth. Mr. Parr, Minister -of Health, asked Dr. Valentine, Director-General of Health, for a report on the subject. Dr. Valentine says he is specially advised that the figures given in New Zealand ate correct, but he is unable to say' whether New Zealand’s figures are strictly comparable with those of other countries. Comparisons, he says, based on a single year’s figures are unsatisfactory. The New Zealand mortality’ rate' for 1917 was higher than for any years since 1894. Dr. Valentine goes on to say:—“We must 'await further information before we can condemn either the Health Department or the Medical Profession. At the same time, I may say' that the Departmental officers (not being in practice) cannot be blamed for tne mortality. Remedies, if any, are needed to remove this blot on our mortality' returns. They’- must bo insisted on by the Department on the practicing members of the profession, who must be regarded as primarily responsible for this mortality. I believe that the average work of the medical profession in this Dominion is more than comparable with the work in other lands. However I have good reason for believing that the exigencies of busypractice lead to much hurried midwifery. which must bo disastrous to both mother and child. I have also reason to believe that much of t’re septic disease associated with maternity is not frankly reported to tho Department in the early stages, thus handicapping tho “ Depart mental officers from preventing the spread of disease associated with maternitv. 'Those acts will be brought before the Medical Boards, and no doubt drastic stops will be taken, if considered necessary, to counteract this apparent negligence.”