THE HEALTH OF TONGA

Southland Times, Issue 20446, 26 March 1928, Page 8

THE HEALTH OF TONGA

A LOW DEATH-RATE. PREVENTION OF DISEASES. The health of the native population of Tonga has never been better, according to Dr. C. Ruhen, who has been assistant medical officer for health at Nukualofa, Tonga, for the past three years. Dr. Ruhen arrived at Auckland by the Tofua yesterday on a holiday visit to the Dominion. The death rate last year—ll per 1000 of the population—was the lowest on record, stated Dr. Ruhen. The rate of infant mortality was 40 per 1000. During the next two years it was hoped to arganise child welfare work in Tonga something along the lines of that already adopted in New Zealand. Speaking on the Medical system, Dr. Ruhen said there was a very good hospital at Nukualofa with an Australian nurse in charge, two native probationers, and six porters and general assistants. There was a smaller hospital at Haapai and three dispensing stations, Good work was being done in the prevention of hook worm and yaws. The problem of tuberculosis was being tackled, although there was still a high percentage of new cases, the number last year being between 200 and 300. Fortunately, the disease attacked the natives in a light form, and they claimed they could completely cure a case in from two to three years with constant treatment.