HEALTH OF THE MAORI RACE

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1930, Page 14

HEALTH OF THE MAORI RACE

1 DECREASING DEATH RATE.

Although . the Maori death rate for last year was 13.73 per 1000 of mean population as compared with the New Zealand general death rate of 8.75, the figure as regards the Maori death rate was the. lowest for the last ten years. The decrease in the Maori death rate last- year was 3.55, a most gratifying reduction.

'The Division of Maori Hygiene of the Department ,of Health is at present devoting special attention to the maternal, infantile, and tubercular death rates,! which, unfortunately, compare unfavourably with the New Zealand rg.tes. The Maori maternal death rate is 5.87 per 1000-live births, as compared with the New Zealand rate of 4,71, Dr. E.. P- Ellison, Director of Maori Hygiene, states that maternal deaths from septicaemia comprise- a very small part of the total maternal deaths. It is hoped to reduce th® maternal death rate materially by educative means, mainly with the aid of the medical and nursing staff and by the distribution .of pamphlets in both' English and Maori! The Maori councils will also assist in this work. A circular addressed to them states, in part:— “The maternal mortality rate amongst the Maori population of New Zealand is found to have been consistently higher than the pakeha; rate , oyer the last ten years, a condition which is shown, by the graph which is enclosed together with a. circular to Maori councils calling their attention to this condition and to the desirability or taking action to improve the position. “The Deputy Director-General of Health desires that every effort should be made by the officers of this department in the direction of improving midwifery practices amongst the Maoris. He points out that it. is undesirable to attempt to interfere too drastically with Maori customs regarding midwifery attendance until more accurate knowledge has been obtained as to their bearing upon the high maternal mortality rate. He also points out that it is practically impossible to enforce the Midwives Act among the Maoris at present. “It is desired that all district nurses to Maoris should give their very best and most earnest attention and endeavour to obtain accurate information in all cases of maternal deaths or illnesses following maternity. 'When this has been obtained it will be possible. to indicate more clearly what action should be taken.” It should be borne in mind, however, states Dr. Ellison, that sepsis is not an important factor in Maoris maternal deaths, in fact, deaths from sepsis are rare. . . . ... With regard to the Maori infantile death rate, it is admitted that the figures are' high. The rate is 78.52 per 1000 live births, as against the New Zealand rate of 34.10, which, as is well known, is the lowest in the world. It is pleasing, however, to note that the Maori infantile death rate showed a decrease of from 118.16 in 1928 to 78.52 in 1929. A similar drop occurred in the previous year. It is, however, recognised by the department that a further improvement in the figures can still bo shown. A number of infant deaths occur from avoidable causes. The deaths of Maori infants in the first two months of life are lower than the New Zealand rate. Most of the deaths of Maori infants occur between the age of three months and twelve months. Respiratory diseases are accountable for most of these deaths, and many of these cases must be attributed to ignorance and lack of maternal care. Dr. "Ellison looks forward to a further fall in the death rate as a result of the measures now being taken. The Maori birth rate is 33.58 per 1000 of the mean population, as compared with the New Zealand rate of 19.09. In view of the decrease in the Maori general death rate, the remarkable fall in the infantile death rate, and the steps beino- taken to improve the maternity concfitions, the outlook of the health of the Maori people, in the opinion of Dr. Ellison, must be regarded as satisfactory,