MATERNAL WELFARE

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1926, Page 2

MATERNAL WELFARE

COMPARATIVE STATISTICS. (Special to “Star.”) WELLINGTON, December 3. An interesting statement in regard to maternal welfare was made by the Minister of Health (Mr. Young) when laying the foundation stone of important aduitions to the Wellington Hospital. Reviewing the maternal mortality, the Minister said that Denmark held the best position in this respect. In the year 1924, the number of deaths per thousand births in that country was only 2.06. The Netherlands came next with 2.58, then followed Italy 2.75, Uruguay 2.88, Japan 3.44, England and Wales 3.95, Australia 4.96, New Zealand 5, Canada 5.53, Belgium 5.68, Scotland 6.27, United States 7.58. Since 1924, continued the Minister, New Zealand had improved the position, for the 1925 proportion was 4.65 per thousand births. New Zealand statistical records revealed the remarkable fact that maternal death from puerperal causes were more numerous in rural districts than in urban areas, while the total number of deaths in the whole Dominion had been steadily decreasing since 1922, in which year the total was 149. Last year, notwithstanding the increase in population, the total number of deaths had come down to 131. For the four years, 1922-25 both inclusive there were 563 deaths in New Zealand from puerperal causes, 219 in the urban areas, arid 344 in the rural. Taking the figures in each year separately, they were 1922, 64 urban, 85 rural; total 149; 1923, 55 and 88, 143; 1924, and 91, 140; 1925, 51 and 80, 131. The increase of population in those years must also be borne in mind and made the figures even better. Mr. Young said that it was gratifying to know, notwithstanding the increase, that the total maternal deaths was showing a gradual decline, but in his work as Minister of Health, he would not be satisfied until the maternal death rate was something- under 3 per thousand births. The Minister remarked that in the country districts, more difficulty was met with in instituting reforms in the matter of improved maternity service than in the towns. The Health Department was doing valuable work with its antenatal clinics and other measures. The gradual decrease was due to that work, and also in part to the assistance being given by outside organissuch as the Plunket Society, Red Cross and other bodies. It was the policy of the Government to encourage hospital boards to establish in suitable back country centres, maternal wards for the benefit of mothers in rural districts. PLUNKET SOCIETY. At the meeting of the Pluriket Society this week, there were present; Mesdames Carr (President), Dennehy, Garde, Barra tt, Black, O’Brien, Leahy, Ashby, Aiderton, Haste, and Miss Braidwood. Apologies were received from Mesdames Parfitt, Seddon, and Harvey. Two small accounts were • passed for payment. Arrangements were completed for the Flower Show to be held on Wednesday, December 8. ■ Nurse Spring reported as follows:— Visits to homes, new cases 15, oid cases 139; visits to offices, adults 160; babies 130. Out-stations: Visits to homes, new cases 11, old cases 38; visits to office, adults 8, babies 7. During the month two visits were paid to Hokitika, and. one each Io Reefton, Gladstone, Paroa, and Otira.