T.B. AMONG MAORIS

Grey River Argus, 29 November 1943, Page 2

T.B. AMONG MAORIS

HIGH DEATH RATE IN NORTH. ISLAND. GISBORNE, Nov. 27. Disturbing iniormation regarding tuberculosis among Maoris was given to the Cook Hospital Board by Mr. C. H. Bull, who is a member of the board and also commissioner controlling Matakaoa County on the easternmost tip of New Zealand. Mr. Bull declared that in the area controlled by the Waiapu, Cook and Wairoa Hospital Boards, it was not unreasonable to assume that there were between 700 and 1000 Maori tuberculosis sufferers. The number might even be greater, for no proper survey had been prepared of the_ extent of tuberculosis in the area. Notification was incomplete and the actual number of deaths was unknown, but the actual death rate was stated to be the highest in the world. In the area controlled by the three boards named, the population was one Maori to every 2.3 Europeans, while in the whole of the southern part of the North Island the ratio was one Maori to 24.7 Europeans. Mr. Bull urged the employment of full-time tuberculosis officers with mobile X-ray units, and the provision of a sanatorium and rehabilitation centre for the district, better housing and social security officers to control the spending of monetary benefits payable to Maoris. The expense of the scheme should be borne by the State, in view of the magnitude of the problem in certain areas. The board decided to forward a 1 report tn the Health Department and to the Tuberculosis Council.