TUBERCULOSIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 26 November 1943, Page 2

TUBERCULOSIS

CONTROL IN THE DOMINION COMPREHENSIVE PLANS APPROVED Auckland, Nov. 25. Comprehensive plans for the control of tuberculosis in the Dominion, and particularly in the Auckland Province, were considered and approved in part by the regional conference held in Auckland at the instance of the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer. The first day’s sitting was attended by the medical superintendents of hospitals, medical officers of health, and other doctors concerned in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis. Approximately 77 representatives of 12 hospital boards in the area from Hamilton northward and as far east as Opotiki were present on the second day. Dr. Taylor, director of the tuberculosis division of the Department of Health, presided. A telegram was received from the Minister expressing regret that he could not be present. A series of recommendations from the medical delegates embodying a scheme for the location, classification, segregation and treatment of patients and for division of responsibility between the Department of Health and the local hospital boards was put aside for consideration by the national tuberculosis council when one was set up. A further series of recommendations from the medical delegates was adopted as follows: — 1. That immediate provision be made for recruiting and training sufficient medical specialists, and that the attention of the Otago Medical School authorities be drawn to the need for special teaching in all branches of tuberculosis. 2. That national and regional tuberculosis councils be formed. 3. That as efforts against tuberculosis were hampered by lack of a definite housing policy a survey of the housing conditions of known tuberculosis cases be undertaken and that in any housing scheme priority be given to the matter. 4. That the hospital boards discuss with the Government the provisions of special social securit;* benefits for tuberculosis patients who were endeavouring to rehabilitate themselves. The following suggestions were submitted by the Department of Health with application to the northern region: 1. That all hospital boards establish chest clinics. 2. That the boards take steps to provide eventually hospital and sanatorium accommodation on the basis of two beds to each annual. 3. That a sanatorium of 150 beds, with a section for children, be established in the Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty area, and that extra accommodation on the same scale in North Auckland be considered. 4. That the 'hospital boards undertake to assist other organisations in regard to occupational therapy, health camps for child contacts, rehabilitation educational campaigns, and efforts to improve the living conditions of patients. 5. That an improved notification form be adopted. AT these suggestions were adopted, except that regarding the third it was decided that separate conferences of the boards in the northern and southern areas be held with a view to drawing up joint schemes. —P.A.